Børge Brende: – Critical in Juba

Børge BrendeMinister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende.

The situation in Southern Sudan is very critical and difficult,  Mr Brende said after a spokesman for the rebel army declared that the country is  again at war.

– The longer the fighting is taking place, the harder it will be to stop, says Brende said.
The clear message from him   and the rest of the world community  to South Sudan’s rival leaders, President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar, is that they have to take responsibility for stopping the ongoing hostilities immediately.

– Let me emphasize that we hold President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar responsible for the situation, and urge them to ensure an immediate cessation of hostilities and avoiding an escalation of them, Brende says.

As part of the so-called Troika, Norway is in close contact with representatives of both parties,  the Foreign Minister said. The head of the regional cooperation organization IGAD has also called for a meeting on Monday.
– Since the parties have previously agreed to implement a peace agreement, we have to attempt to prevent,  the country  from being plunged into a new war,  for as long as possible, says Brende.

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today