In the absence of an agreement on the division of regional states between the President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, and rebel leader Riek Machar, the EU called on Tuesday 21 January on all parties to urgently resolve all outstanding issues to allow for the formation of a Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) on schedule, in accordance with the Peace Agreement.
This new government “is due to be formed in late February 2020. It is vital that the R-TGoNU is a truly inclusive body”, Josep Borrell, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said in a written statement. In this respect, the EU considers that “the latest clashes in Maiwut are of serious concern” and encourages IGAD to continue its monitoring of the ceasefire.
The EU “highlights its readiness to review its policies towards the government in power and the other signatory parties, in the absence of sufficient progress in the coming weeks”.
Outstanding issues to be resolved include “finding a compromise solution on the number and boundaries of States as well as making substantial progress in the security arrangements, particularly in full participation of all forces, including all Government forces, in the process and agreeing a new unified chain of command”. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)