The US Ambassador in Juba has urged the South Sudan leaders to work together to achieve the benefits of independence.
Molly Phee says the US government and its people are committed to support South Sudan.

She spoke at a gathering in Juba, to mark 240 years of America’s independence from Britain on the fourth of July 1776.

“For the sake of the children and the grant children of South Sudan, please find the way to work together and fulfil the promises of July 2011, and know that as you do this, you can count on the support of the American people and the American government,” she said.

Ms Phee said fighting is worsening the living conditions of the South Sudanese people.

“The most painful of which is that more than 40 percent of the population is now facing life threatening hunger and more than 2 point 5 million citizens of South Sudan are now categorized as either displaced persons or refugees because of fighting,” she added.

Members of the diplomatic community and government officials attended the occasion at the residence of the embassy in Juba.

At the same occasion, the Minister of Foreign Affairs says the United States still has an essential role to play in encouraging the Transitional Government of National Unity to fully implement the provisions of the peace agreement.

Deng Alor says history shows that the U.S has always been at the center of resolving conflicts and pursuing development in South Sudan.

Mr. Alor urges the American people to continue with their efforts in helping South Sudanese realize a lasting peace.
“The United States’ role is still very essential in the implementation of this peace agreement. We know it is difficult for the parties to implement the agreement,” he said.

“But we, the people of South Sudan are strong, we have the resilience, I am sure we will be able to overcome the few things that are still impeding the progress of the implementation of the peace agreement,” he added.

Since the outbreak of the conflict in South Sudan in 2013, the United States and other Troika member countries have invested millions of dollars in humanitarian services to people displaced.

In a new report, the ICG says the implementation of the peace agreement is stalled and fighting is already spreading around the country.

The International Crisis Group says the ceasefire continues to hold in some areas while fighting is also in other towns, giving an example of the conflict in Wau that has displaced thousands of people.