US, UK and Norway warn South Sudan to stop violating truce

The three countries have issued the statement amid ongoing violations of the ceasefire from both sides. The civil war in South Sudan has now entered its fifth year, with the conflict leaving tens of thousands dead.

The United States, Britain, and Norway on Tuesday warned warring sides in the South Sudan conflict to stop violating a ceasefire that began on December 24.

“We call on all signatories, and the field commanders who answer to them, to immediately end all military operations,” the three Western countries said in a statement.

The statement comes after the armed opposition and South Sudan’s government traded accusations of violations of the ceasefire.

The statement also called on all sides to allow unrestricted humanitarian access. Millions in the East African nation are in need of aid but the United Nations and other aid organizations have repeatedly expressed frustration at obstacles to its delivery.

The United States, Britain, and Norway form a group that supported the 2005 accord leading to the independence of South Sudan from Sudan. They have threatened to impose individual or group sanctions for those violating the ceasefire. The ceasefire was to be followed by further talks focusing on a revised power-sharing arrangement leading up to a new date for polls.

Original source: Deutsche Welle
Published on 2 January 2018