Troika Says Deeply Concerned by Delays of Implementing JPA Commitments

Arab World

October 4th, 6:23am

Washington - Asharq Al-Awsat

Sudan's Sovereign Council Chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, South Sudan's President Salva Kiir, and Chad President Idriss Deby attend the signing of peace agreement between the Sudan's transitional government and Sudanese revolutionary movements to end decades-old conflict, in Juba, South Sudan October 3, 2020. REUTERS - JOK SOLOMUN

The United States, the United Kingdom, and Norway (the Troika) commended the Sudanese people as they celebrated the first anniversary of the signing of Juba Peace Agreement (JPA) on October 3, 2020. "We commend the JPA signatories for upholding their partnership and urge the parties to recommit to fully implement the agreement," read a Troika statement released by the US State Department. "We are, however, deeply concerned by delays implementing commitments made one year ago. This includes in establishing the Peace Commission, Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanism, the Transitional Legislative Assembly, and establishing the Darfur Security Keeping Forces and JPA security arrangements. Progress is needed now," the statement noted. It also urged all JPA signatories to demonstrate leadership and work together to refocus on implementation to deliver much needed peace and security for the people, stressing that "progress is needed now." The Troika also hailed the strides made toward transitional justice including the government’s cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC). "We welcome the Cabinet’s stated commitment to hand over former President Omar al-Bashir and the other former officials subject to international arrest warrants, and we urge the government to move quickly on this commitment and to make progress on establishing the Special Court for Darfur," said the statement. The Troika statement further expressed disappointment with what it described as the "lack of momentum" in peace negotiations with the SPLM-N-Abdelaziz Alhilu. "We urge Chairman Alhilu and the Government of Sudan to return to Juba and negotiate on the basis of the March 2021 Declaration of Principles." In its concluding statement, the Troika expressed concern over the growing unrest in Eastern Sudan. It also condemned all actions that threaten Sudan’s stability and economy. "We encourage the government and all Eastern parties to engage in dialogue to address legitimate grievances on the basis of the Constitutional Declaration and the JPA." It further affirmed its full commitment to support the Sudanese government and the JPA parties to deliver their vision for lasting peace as part of the democratic transition agreed in 2019.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3225256/troika-says-deeply-concerned-delays-implementing-jpa-commitments