South Sudan became the world’s newest nation in 2011 after it voted for independence from Sudan. In December 2013 a civil war broke out. For two years fighting has raged, causing thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of displaced citizens. The human toll has been staggering.
In August 2015 President Kiir and former Vice President Riek Machar signed an agreement that should provide the basis for peace and reconciliation. Some progress has been made, but both sides continue to stockpile weapons and President Kiir has taken several actions that could undermine the peace process. The United Nations Security Council has threatened severe sanctions against both factions if the agreement is not fully implemented. Public pressure needs to be exerted to reinforce support for the peace agreement.
The citizens of South Sudan deserve a peaceful and stable country. Add your name to this petition calling on Secretary of State John Kerry and U.S. Representative to the UN Samantha Powers to press the two sides to live up to their commitments to the peace agreement.
Petition Text:
As people of faith, we write to urge your Administration to push the United Nations Security Council to continue to put heavy pressure on the two sides of the South Sudan civil war to implement the terms of the August 2015 peace agreement that both leaders signed.
As you know, some progress has been made in implementing the agreement, including the phased withdrawal of foreign troops and an agreement on security arrangements for Juba. But fighting continues and President Kiir has repeatedly expressed his reservations about the agreement. Both sides continue to stockpile weapons and President Kiir has taken several actions that could undermine the peace process, including the unilateral creation of new states.
The citizens of South Sudan deserve a peaceful and stable country, and the Security Council can play a constructive role in pressuring the two sides to live up to terms of the peace agreement. We urge the administration to make peace in South Sudan a priority.