US, Britain, Norway urge momentum in S Sudan peace deal

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - Britain, Norway and the U.S. reaffirmed their commitment to the South Sudan peace process Monday and urged immediate implementation of a peace agreement.

The Troika, as the three countries is known, in a statement welcomed a decrease in political violence and the presence opposition politicians in the South Sudanese capital, Juba.

South Sudan plunged into war in 2013 when President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy, Riek Machar, of plotting a coup.

Under the peace deal signed in September 2018, Kiir agreed to a unity government with Machar. But the formation of the new government, initially scheduled to take office May 12, was postponed for six months.

The deadline for the end of the pre-transitional period is November.

An East Africa regional bloc, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), is the official mediator of the process in the country.

"While there is progress, lack of momentum to fully implement the peace agreement may threaten the successful formation of the transitional government and prospects for the peace process," said the statement.

The Troika countries urged South Sudanese parties to "redouble their efforts to resolve the most pressing remaining issues, which includes ensuring agreed security reforms are delivered, through the mobilization of necessary support."

"For the peace process to remain credible, it is important that the parties demonstrate their commitment to peace and meet the assurances they made in May," the statement added.