US ‘cannot accept’ peace excluding ‘recognized’ signatories

JUBA – The United States on Wednesday called for the resumption of dialogue among South Sudan’s leaders and warned that it would not accept the implementation of a peace agreement that excludes recognized signatories.

Speaking in Juba after a meeting with senior presidential advisor Kuol Manyang Juuk, U.S. Ambassador to South Sudan Michael J. Adler stated that Washington supports peace implementation that is inclusive of all parties.

“Those who stand for peace, we strongly support those who would work to implement peace commitments. We cannot accept that peace commitments are being implemented when one of the named parties in the agreement is under house arrest,” Adler said.

Tensions have been escalating between factions of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) led by President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, raising concerns about a potential return to full-scale civil war.

Machar, a key signatory to the revitalized peace agreement, is currently under detention in Juba along with senior officials from his SPLM faction, the SPLM-IO. The government accuses him of inciting rebellion.

Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol has declared himself the interim leader of the SPLM-IO, and the government has hinted at supporting his appointment as first vice president, replacing Machar.

Adler called for the release of the detained officials, emphasizing that the U.S. would not accept a peace implementation that omits key signatories to the agreement.

“We call for the release of those under house arrest. We call for a resumption of dialogue among recognized leaders of all parties in the transitional government to advance peace,” the U.S. diplomat said.

Addressing reports that the United States was closing its embassy in South Sudan, Adler clarified that the U.S. administration had only reduced staff and resources due to growing security concerns.

“I am aware of press reports. I have no basis to comment on the press reports other than to say there has been no decision to close any U.S. embassy or consulate anywhere, that the U.S. embassy in South Sudan remains operational, although we have severely reduced our American staff due to concerns over the security situation,” he stated.

“It is perfectly natural that the Department of State would review how U.S. personnel and resources are deployed overseas to advance U.S. interests and serve the American people,” Adler concluded.