In a statement, the US Embassy in South Sudan said his government is concerned by the fighting and called on the unity government in Juba to act swiftly to end the violence and called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
“We are particularly concerned about reports of casualties and displacement of civilians,” the statement signed by US Ambassador Michael J. Adler reads in part. “We call on the transitional government to act with urgency to end the violence.”
The Embassy emphasized the importance of peaceful dialogue in resolving the conflict, urging all parties involved to refrain from violence and engage in constructive negotiations.
“All those in positions of authority and influence in South Sudan must commit to resolving differences through peaceful dialogue,” the statement stated.
The statement recalled pass human rights violations in Leer and called on the government in Juba to release findings of investigations into last year’s violence there in which hundreds of people were killed and thousands displaced.
“We renew our call on the transitional government to release the long-delayed findings of the investigation into the April 2022 violence in Leer County,” the statement emphasized. “The perpetrators must be held accountable.”
The Embassy’s statement underscores the international community’s growing concern over the escalating violence in Leer County and the humanitarian crisis it has created.
Fighting between elements of the SSPDF with allied youth and the SPLA-IO resulted in the displacement of at least 700 people.
Around nine people were killed from both sides including a senior SSPDF commander allied to General Simon Maguek Gai who was a senior SPLA-IO commander until his defection to the SSPDF in early October.