The embassies of Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States have expressed grave concern over the recent escalation of violence in Jonglei State, Eastern Equatoria, and other parts of South Sudan.

In a joint statement, the diplomatic missions issued a strong, unified call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, urging forces aligned with all signatories to the peace agreement to resolve their differences through peaceful dialogue. The statement warned that ongoing political violence is further deteriorating an already fragile security situation across the country.

The international community also renewed its call on all parties to the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) to guarantee safe, timely, and unhindered access for humanitarian assistance. It stressed that any obstruction or blockade of humanitarian aid constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law, human rights law, and the principles of the United Nations Charter. The group additionally urged the Government of South Sudan to halt aerial bombardments in affected areas.

Meanwhile, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) welcomed the international call for humanitarian access. This follows recent government restrictions on aid deliveries to opposition-controlled areas, imposed after SPLA-IO forces captured Pajut Payam in Duk County, northern Jonglei State, last week.

Speaking on behalf of the movement, SPLA-IO spokesperson and Chairperson of the National Committee for Information and Communication, Pal Mai Deng, said the group remains committed to peace. He reiterated the movement’s demand for the immediate and unconditional release of the detained First Vice President, Riek Machar, along with seven other senior officials.