The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Henry Okello Oryem on Friday met with representatives of the South Sudan peace-guarantor from Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The ‘Troika’ representatives, Mr Paul Sutphin (USA), Mr Chris Trott (UK) and Mr Erling Skjonsberg (Norway), discussed the current political situation in South Sudan and the resultant refugee crisis in the neighboring countries, especially in Uganda.
During the meeting at the ministry headquarters, the members of the Troika reiterated their strong support for the combined efforts of the African Union (AU), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and United Nations to end the conflict in South Sudan, and joined their recent calls on all armed parties, including the Government of South Sudan, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition, and other armed groups, to commit to a ceasefire.
They emphasized that the dire humanitarian crisis in South Sudan is the direct result of the conflict and called on all parties to cease violence against humanitarian workers and obstruction of humanitarian assistance.
The Troika also endorsed the ongoing efforts by IGAD and praised Uganda’s peace initiative which aimed at bringing the warring parties to the negotiating table, positively noting that this initiative was endorsed by both parties to the conflict.
The Troika expressed pleasure that Uganda is in full support of the IGAD process and also endorsed the work of the UN Mission in the Republic of South Sudan, and the deployment of its Regional Protection Force.
On his part minister Okello Oryem stressed the importance of the support being extended towards all the peace initiatives, and assured them that Uganda will continue playing a mediatory and conciliatory role between the belligerent parties to ensure that an agreement is reached.
In attendance at the meeting were the Heads of Diplomatic Missions of the Troika resident in Kampala and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
