IGAD and other partners to the South Sudan peace agreement have condemned calls by opposition leaders for a renewal of armed conflict.

They say the fighting will not solve the current political and economic challenges in the country.

The partners say fighting will only increase suffering of South Sudanese, worsen the humanitarian crisis and increase ethnic tensions.

They include the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, IGAD, TROIKA and the European Union.

‘No more war’

“Our governments have repeatedly made clear our shared conviction that there can be no military solution to South Sudan’s problems,” they say in a joint statement.

“Resolving South Sudan’s conflicts requires genuine and inclusive dialogue representing the viewpoints of all South Sudanese people. We therefore call on the Transitional Government of National Unity and leaders of opposition groups alike to recommit themselves, consistent with the peace agreement,” they say.

Last month, Dr Riek, who leads a faction of the SPLM in Opposition, announced in Khartoum that he would reorganize his forces to fight the government for what he calls a violation of the peace agreement.

In a meeting in Khartoum, IO leaders under Dr Riek resolved that there were contradiction in the concepts and principles of freedom and justice that shall guarantee peace in South Sudan.

In a position paper signed by Dr Riek Machar, the members said that the people of South Sudan should prepare for a long term armed resistance because of these contradictions.

These include socio-economic and cultural underdevelopment.

Opposition leader Dr Lam Akol has also announced he would use millitary means to change the government in Juba, saying the ‘regime’ in Juba does not want to fully implement the peace agreement.

‘Concerns over more fighting’

But in a statement today, the IGAD, TROIKA and the EU, who are partners to JMEC, say that they are deeply concerned by fighting around the country in recent weeks, including near Yei, Wau, Bentiu, and Nassir.

They say both the government and armed opposition groups bear responsibility for renewed hostilities since the July clashes in Juba.

The IGAD, TROIKA and EU said the continued conflict in South Sudan threatens the peace and security of its neighbors and the region.

They called on the government and armed opposition groups to immediately adhere to the permanent ceasefire.

They also called on the Transitional Government of National Unity and leaders of opposition groups alike to recommit themselves, consistent with the peace agreement, to peaceful dialogue based on the following principles.
. The parties must agree to resolve their differences through a political process rather than through armed conflict;
. The political process must be inclusive of all parties, communities, factions, and voices;
. The parties must agree to undertake implementation of the reforms outlined in the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.

They say parties must agree to resolve their differences through a political process rather than through armed conflict; adding that political process must be inclusive of all parties, communities, factions, and voices.

“We fully understand that the process of rebuilding trust and undertaking necessary compromises will a difficult one, and are prepared to support that process,” they say in the state, adding: “We firmly believe that South Sudan’s leaders must finally act to meet the demands of their people and end this senseless conflict.”