The Troika group that includes Norway, United Kingdom, and the United States has expressed grave concern over the recent killing of 27 civilians in Kajo Keji County of Central Equatoria State.
“We express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. We call on the transitional government to urgently identify and hold accountable those responsible for these deaths,” Troika said in a statement issued in Juba on Tuesday.
It also noted as well other acts of violence, in Kajo-Keji County
Troika called on leaders of the transitional government act to address the underlying causes of this violence to prevent further loss of life.
“We call on all South Sudanese groups and communities to resolve their differences peacefully,” it said.
On Monday, the Governor of Central Equatoria State Emmanuel Adil Anthony led a cabinet delegation to Kajo-Keji County to assess the aftermath of the inter-communal violence that erupted last week.
The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) also condemned the incident in Kajo Keji County.
It said that the violence and displacement of civilians is unacceptable, particularly when the strong hope of the people of South Sudan is that the messages of peace delivered by the Ecumenical Peace Pilgrimage will inspire implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement at greater pace and scale.
RJMEC urged the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) to investigate, and to hold perpetrators accountable.
“The events in Kajo Keji fit into a larger and very concerning picture of violence at the subnational level across South Sudan, and RJMEC reiterates its position recently given at its monthly Plenary,” it said.
“There is a very serious picture of escalating violence, negatively impacting the environment in which the R-ARCSS is being implemented. RJMEC therefore appeals to the Parties involved and the RTGoNU to address the root causes of these armed conflicts and find lasting solutions to resolve them and ensure accountability for crimes committed,” it added.
