By
By Godfrey Olukya 20-2-2014
UK’s minister for Africa Mark Simmonds has condemned renewed fighting in
South Sudans’s Malakal region as a serious violation of the Cessation
of Hostilities.
Commenting on the recent fighting Mark Simmonds said,
“I am deeply concerned by the recent fighting in Malakal which has led
to a senseless loss of life. It is particularly disturbing that
intercommunal fighting in the UNMISS camp has led to the death of
civilians who had taken shelter there. Such scenes must not be allowed
to re-occur.
“I strongly condemn this serious violation of the Cessation of
Hostilities, which is the latest in a series of infringements on both
sides. I call on the Government of South Sudan and opposition forces
to immediately put down their weapons and abide by the agreement that
they have signed. It is essential that they now engage fully with the
Joint Technical Committee responsible for the monitoring and
verification of the ceasefire, and commit seriously to a fully
inclusive political process. The UK will continue to give its full
backing to the IGAD negotiations.
“The people of South Sudan continue to pay the highest price in this
conflict. It is the responsibility of leaders on both sides to ensure
that the violence stops.”
END