South Sudan: EU decries surge in violence, urges immediate ceasefire and inclusive dialogue

The European Union has strongly condemned the recent escalation of armed clashes in South Sudan,describing the situation as the worst since 2018.

Speaking at the opening of the Annual Gender Equality Forum in Juba on Tuesday,June 17,the EU Deputy Head of Delegation,Lothar Jaschke,criticized the use of aerial bombings,ground offensives,and attacks on health facilities,stressing that these acts undermine the fragile progress made under the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

Jaschke echoed calls by IGAD and the African Union for an immediate ceasefire,the release of political detainees,and a return to dialogue and the peaceful implementation of the peace accord. He emphasized the need to prevent the country from relapsing into full-scale war,highlighting that inclusive political cooperation remains crucial to holding South Sudan’s first democratic elections and achieving long-term stability.

Underscoring the EU’s unwavering commitment to South Sudan’s democratic transition,Jaschke advocated for more trust between political actors,urging investment in agriculture and human capital rather than warfare. He passionately called for greater inclusion of women in politics and the security sector,not only in South Sudan but globally,arguing that peace and progress are more likely in societies where women occupy leadership roles.