The West to President Salva Kiir: Negotiate in Good Faith or Face Serious Sanctions!!!

1. South Sudanese warring parties may face sanctions if they obstruct the IGAD-led peace process to end the three-month conflict said special envoys of the United States and the European Union on Wednesday. The United States, the United Kingdom, Norway, and the European Union said in a joint statement they “expect ” the South Sudan government and the rebel SPLM-In-Opposition to engage constructively in the peace negotiations. “If the government or any other actor tries to undermine the peace process and rebuff the IGAD heads of state, they will face consequences,” said a statement released in Addis Ababa 24 hours before the expected resumption of peace talks after a two-week break.

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2. The international community says it is running out of patience with the progress of the South Sudan peace negotiations. The talks between South Sudan’s government and rebel forces have dragged on for nearly three months, with little progress except for an often-violated cease-fire agreement. A new round of talks are scheduled to start Thursday. South Sudan might face consequences from the international community, if the involved parties do not take the peace negotiations more seriously. United States special envoy to South Sudan Donald Booth issued that warning Wednesday, on behalf of Britain, Norway and the European Union. He said that greater efforts are needed from the fighting parties. “If the government or any other actor tried to undermine the peace process and rebuff the IGAD heads of state, they will face consequences,” he said. “The people of South Sudan expect renewal, they expect their voices to be heard in forging a more sustainable peace. Business as usual is not a viable way forward.”

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3. The United Kingdom, United States, Norway and the European Union on the eve of peace talks have threatened ‘sanctions’ against the South Sudanese government owing to their obstruction of the peace process and repeated violations of the two accords signed in January. Sanctions would involve the kind of legal and economic measures taken against such leaders as Muammar Gaddafi and Saddam Hussein. Measures imposed in these cases included travel bans and asset freezes, which restricted the ability of government officials to travel abroad and retain property and savings in other countries. “If the government and any other actor tries to undermine the peace process and rebuff the IGAD heads of state, they will face consequences,” says a joint statement by the ‘Troika’ – the United States, Britain, Norway – and the European Union. Donald Booth, the US envoy to South Sudan, and Alexander Rondos, the EU special envoy to the Horn of Africa, said Washington and Brussels were both considering “targeted measures” against individuals. “The EU reiterates that it stands ready to consider targeted restrictive measures against individuals obstructing the political process, in support of AU and IGAD efforts and in close coordination with international partners,” reads a statement by the EU Council on Monday. The involvement of the European Union in the sanctions threat suggests the measures being considered would potentially be even more wide-ranging in effect than those now employed against the north Sudanese government by the United States.

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PaanLuel Wël

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PaanLuel Wël is the founder and editor-in-chief of PaanLuel Wël Media Ltd, a news website that covers news, opinions, analysis, history, culture and literature of South Sudan and the world. Founded in July 2011 by PaanLuel Wël to create a platform for free expression and constructive dialogue, the website features articles from various contributors, including columnists, commentators, poets, authors, activists and academics. PaanLuel Wël believes that media can play a vital role in informing, educating and empowering the people to participate in nation-building and social transformation. He also believes that media can foster a culture of dialogue, tolerance and diversity among different communities and groups, and hopes to inspire and mentor the next generation of South Sudanese writers and journalists.

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