LONDON, Dec. 18 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
When theRevitalisedAgreement for the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) was signed just over seven years ago, it was hoped that it would bring peace after the country'sinitialyears of independence were scarred by conflict, including brutal violence against civilians.
Despite the support of the international community, the optimism and relief that followed the R-ARCSSwasundeserved. Under the terms of the R-ARCSS, President Kiir should be leading a transitional government of national unity. It does not live up to the name, with the principles of powersharing violatedandnomeaningful progress towards implementing theagreement.Public resources continue to be misused:public servantsalariesare going unpaid and international donors are spending significantly more on delivering basic services to the people of South Sudan thanthegovernmentisitself. At independence, South Sudan's oil revenue made it a middle-income country. It is now the world's poorest, anditsmost corrupt.The leadershipis continuing withdestabilisingunilateral reshuffles,rather than focusing on governing the country or preparing for elections.
Most seriously, wehave seena return towidespreadconflict across the country. It would betragicfor the people of South Sudan if we see a return to the levels of violence of 2013 and 2016. It would alsorepresenta serious setback for South Sudan'sneighbours, already suffering thedestabilisinginfluence of the conflict in Sudan.
For the good of the people of South Sudan and for the sake of regional stability, South Sudan's leaders must urgently reverse course.All parties, especially SPLM-IG and SPLM-IO,must stop armed attacks andimmediatelyreturn to the nationwide ceasefireand tosustainedleader-level dialogue.The transitional government must end itsaerial attacksagainst its own citizens; release political prisoners; use public revenue to paypublic sector employees;andfund health, education, and other essential services for its citizens.
Transitional government officials at all levels must also cease interfering in the operations of humanitarianassistanceproviders and regional and international organizations. The transitional government'sobstruction of departure as well as in-country movements of UN peacekeepers is a prime example of thisbehaviour andmust stop immediately.
AllSouth Sudan's friends and partners, and especially those neighbouring South Sudan who have the most to lose from the prospect of renewed large-scale conflict, should be united in their messaging - that enough is enough. South Sudan's leaders muststopthe current conflict and focus on restoring the trust of its people and the international community through concrete actions. Iftheydo so,they will attract the world's support, investment, and respect.
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