Unless the transitional government takes urgent action to end the fighting, there is an imminent risk that further escalates and endangers vulnerable populations, delegation of IGAD, R-JMEC, African Diplomatic Community, Norway and UNMISS that visited Tambura cautions.
The delegation in a statement issued on Sunday, says without shift deed, the fighting will worsen the dire humanitarian situation and threaten implementation of the 2018 Revitalised Agreement.
It says it became clear that the root causes of the conflict can only be addressed through full implementation of the Agreement and, most urgently, the unification of forces and their deployment.
The delegation urges an immediate cessation of hostilities and welcomes the Presidency’s decision to investigate recent events through a Joint Defence Board team, led by Lieutenant General Wesley Welebe.
The delegation calls on the national and state governments to take immediate steps to separate forces and undertake dialogue and reconciliation to de-escalate tensions among communities.
The delegation appeals for local authorities and community leaders to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian workers so that life-saving assistance can resume in earnest.
The protection of civilians and support to internally displaced people is first and foremost the responsibility of the government, it says.
The delegation pledges to continue to support the Government and people of South Sudan, including through capacity-building of rule of law institutions.
The delegation commends UNMISS for protecting civilians, through temporary base in Tambura with increased patrols to deter violence and facilitate local population to collect food and water.
The delegation that Visited Tombura on September 16 included representatives from IGAD, R-JMEC, Ambassadors and diplomats from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Norway, Sudan, and Uganda, acting Humanitarian Coordinator and UNMISS.