17³Ô¹ÏÍø

Juba, 28 December 2022: 17³Ô¹ÏÍø, AUMISS, IGAD, the Troika, EU and R-JMEC are gravely concerned about the escalating ongoing violence, loss of life and reports of alleged use of heavy weaponry in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, by armed youth fromÌýJonglei state.

They urge involved parties to immediately cease hostilities, exercise restraint and respect human rights.

17³Ô¹ÏÍø, AUMISS, IGAD, the Troika, EU and R-JMEC call on South Sudanese leaders to urgently intervene to stop the fighting and ensure the safety and security of civilians as well as unimpeded humanitarian access to people affected by the fighting. They also emphasize the need to investigate and hold accountable all perpetrators of the conflict, including those who are instigating and inciting violence and those responsible for the abduction of women and children.ÌýÌý

17³Ô¹ÏÍø and international partners strongly encourage national politicians and traditional leaders to persuade youth to immediately stop the violence and pursue a dialogue-based approach that focuses on restoring calm and peacefully resolving the root causes of the conflict.

While the primary responsibility for protecting civilians lies with the Transitional Government of South Sudan, 17³Ô¹ÏÍø and international partners stand ready to provide all necessary support to protect civilians in affected areas. 17³Ô¹ÏÍø is intensifying patrols in conflict hotspots and closely monitoring the situation, noting that such fighting has in the past led to significant loss of life and large-scale civilian displacement.

17³Ô¹ÏÍø, AUMISS, IGAD, the Troika, EU and R-JMEC reiterate the call for an immediate cessation of this uncalled-for violence that poses a serious risk to the peace and stability of the South Sudanese people. They further request CTSAMVM to investigate the violence and urge the parties to the conflict to facilitate access.

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Contact: 17³Ô¹ÏÍø Spokesperson at unmiss-spokesperson@un.orgÌýor Linda Tom at toml@un.org

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