Statement · 24 December 2022
As the world ushers in the festive season, which comes with hope for humanity, I note with great concern the escalation of hostilities in neighboring South Sudan between the signatories to the Revitalized Agreement for the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). The increasing insecurity, violence, displacement and unfolding humanitarian crisis are detrimental to the peace and stability of South Sudan and the East Africa region as a whole. Women and children bear the greatest brunt of the hostilities in the Upper Nile and Jonglei States and are in desperate need of food, water, shelter and medical supplies. Regrettably, the widening political division is impairing any hopes for resumption in implementation of the Revitalized Agreement for the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
As a neighbour and guarantor of the South Sudan peace process, I, on behalf of Kenya, bring these concerning developments to the attention of the wider international community and call for a focus on immediate intervention geared towards de-escalation, peaceful resolution and coexistence among the parties involved. Deeply disturbed by the evolving situation in South Sudan, I have today, the 24th of December 2022, spoken with my counterpart H.E General Salva Kiir Mayardit and strongly implored him -in concert with all parties involved- to deploy their best efforts to lead the country from the brink and back to a path of durable peace as envisioned in the RARCSS. I further urged H.E General Salva Kiir Mayardit to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the affected communities. Conscious of the resulting humanitarian situation and in the spirit of good neighbourlines and ethos of this season, I have directed that a shipment of foodstuff and essential medical supplies be immediately airlifted to Upper Nile and Jonglei States. Equally, I implore the international community to urgently provide all possible and relevant assistance to the Government of South Sudan to enable it address this dire situation and return to the path of the peace process. 24th DECEMBER 2022, STATE LODGE, ELDORET