Troika calls for end to Abyei violence, accountability

February 8, 2024 (JUBA) – The Troika countries (Norway, the United States and the United Kingdom) issued a strong condemnation of the renewed violence in the oil-rich Abyei region, calling for an immediate end to the clashes.

“These senseless acts undermine efforts to encourage the voluntary return of civilians displaced by the 2011 conflicts,” the Troika ambassadors in South Sudan said in a joint statement on Thursday.

They offered condolences to the victims’ families and urged all parties, including religious leaders, communities, and the government, to take immediate steps to end the recurring conflict.

The violence, which has been ongoing since 2022, has drawn criticism for the lack of significant attention from national and local authorities despite numerous attempts to resolve it.

“We renew our urgent call for all parties with influence to act decisively to break this cycle of violence,” the statement emphasized.

The Troika further demanded that the transitional government hold perpetrators accountable, not just for justice but also as a deterrent to future violence. “Accountability sends a clear message: violence will not be tolerated, and those who engage in it will face the consequences,” the statement warned.

This renewed violence comes amid broader security concerns in South Sudan, with recent clashes reported in Warrap, Unity, Western Bahr el Ghazal, and Central Equatoria states. The proliferation of arms among civilians and the ongoing war in neighbouring Sudan further raise concerns about potential fuel for local conflicts.

In January 2024, President Salva Kiir directed state governors bordering Sudan to coordinate efforts and prevent civilian access to weapons from across the border.

(ST)