Flags of the Troika Countries | File photo.

The Troika countries have called on all parties in South Sudan, particularly the SPLM and SPLM-IO, to end armed attacks and immediately return to the nationwide ceasefire and sustained leader-level dialogue.

In a statement, the Troika countries comprising the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and Norway said South Sudan’s leaders must urgently reverse course.

The statement added that the transitional government must end aerial attacks against its own citizens, release political prisoners, use public revenue to pay public sector employees, and fund health, education, and other essential services.

The Western countries further said transitional government officials at all levels must stop interfering with the work of humanitarian aid providers, as well as regional and international organizations.

They added that the transitional government’s obstruction of the departure and in-country movement of UN peacekeepers is a prime example of such behavior and must stop immediately.

The Troika also urged all friends and partners of South Sudan, especially neighboring countries that stand to lose the most from renewed large-scale conflict, to speak with one voice, saying “that enough is enough.”

They stressed that South Sudan’s leaders must bring the current conflict to an end and focus on restoring the trust of the people and the international community through concrete actions.