Brussels, 26/01/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 23 January, the European Union called on the government and opposition in South Sudan to show their resolve for the peace negotiation process to come to a successful conclusion (see EUROPE 11219).
“After more than a year of conflict and protracted negotiations, it is high time for the leaders on both sides to start putting the interest of their people first”, says a spokesperson for the European External Action Service (EEAS) in a press release. The EU hails the endeavours for peace made under the aegis of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and believes that “the forthcoming African Union and IGAD summits will be crucial to make effective preparations for the formation of a government of national unity”. The EU welcomes the threat of sanctions brandished by IGAD and the African Union if the parties continue to fail to agree on a peace deal. (AN)