Members of the Troika and Europeon Commission (EU) have showed deep concern by an escalation in violence in Upper Nile and Jonglei, South Sudan, where reports of scores of civilians killed and around 50,000 displaced.
In a joint statement released by the Governments of the United States of America, Norway, and the United Kingdom (the Troika) and the European Union on Friday.
Adding that these reports of killings, homes and livelihoods burned destroyed, sexual and gender-based violence, including against minors, are horrifying and cannot go unaddressed.
They stated further that the impact of this violence on an already dire humanitarian situation is further devastating vulnerable communities and their access to health and education services.
Saying, “It is clear that South Sudan’s transitional leaders bear a share of the responsibility for the escalation of this violence, and responsibility for ending it, while urgently calling on South Sudan’s transitional leaders to act now to end the violence and protect civilians.
The Troika and EU appealed to all South Sudanese authorities to allow and facilitate the safe access and delivery of humanitarian assistance to Upper Nile and Jonglei State, as well as in other conflict areas in the country and to the more than 9.4 million people in need of aid across South Sudan.
They urged all sides to abide by the conditions set out in the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement. “Each missed implementation benchmark further calls into question the political commitment of South Sudan’s leaders to end the transitional period in two years.
“Inaction now will lead to more innocent South Sudanese lives lost and a humanitarian situation that continues to worsen with each month.
“An enduring, nation-wide peace is the only way to address South Sudan’s appalling human rights and humanitarian situation”, the joint statement said.
The U.S. Ambassador to South Sudan Michael Adler on Human Rights Day, has urged action to end violence in Upper Nile, adding that “ United States is gravely concerned by credible reports of continued human rights violations and the impunity enjoyed by those perpetrating such acts.
According to him, “Many of these violations occur within the context of subnational violence, such as in the ongoing conflict in Upper Nile State. It is clear that political actors in Juba bear responsibility for much of the violence in Upper Nile State and must act to end it”, he said.
Ambassador Adler also expressed deep concern about credible reports of sexual and gender-based violence and extrajudicial killings along U.S. Embassy Juba, South Sudan.
UNICEF in statement recently, said escalating violence in Upper Nile State, is forcing thousands of people mostly women and children to flee for their lives as clashes between armed groups surge in Fashoda County in the North of South Sudan.
Added that 75 percent of those fleeing conflict are women and children, running in search of safety to neighbouring settlements, UN bases and others into the bush and swamps while thousands have reportedly travelled to the border or crossed into Sudan.
Acting UNICEF Representative in South Sudan, Jesper Moller said, “Grave human rights violations are being reported against children and women, along with increasing numbers of deaths and injuries.
“Children have been separated from their families, and schools have become shelter for those fleeing for their lives. It is a deeply disturbing and alarming situation unfolding in Upper Nile State”, Moller said.
Meanwhile, more than 160 civilians have been killed and 20,000 displaced in this violence in South Sudan’s Upper Nile since August amid an escalation in clashes between armed groups, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights said recently.