A group of foreign embassies and the European Union delegation in South Sudan have called on parties to the Revitalized Peace Agreement to immediately return to dialogue, warning against unilateral changes to the peace deal.

The joint statement was issued on Tuesday by the embassies of Australia, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, together with the Delegation of the European Union.

The diplomatic missions said the peace agreement remains the foundation of legitimacy for South Sudan’s transitional government.

The statement said any unilateral actions outside the framework of the agreement would undermine efforts to achieve lasting peace in the country.

“The Peace Agreement remains the basis of legitimacy for the transitional government in South Sudan,” the statement read.

“Unilateral changes to the Agreement are not in accordance with the letter and spirit of the Agreement and will not bring peace to South Sudan.”

The diplomats further urged all parties to resume dialogue and fully commit to the implementation of the peace agreement.

“We call for an immediate return to dialogue among all parties to the Peace Agreement,” the statement added.

The appeal comes amid growing political and security tensions in parts of the country, with regional and international partners increasingly calling for restraint and renewed engagement among the peace parties.