PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Saturday, April 28, 2018, Juba, South Sudan

JMEC SAYS SECURITY AND HUMANITARIAN VIOLATIONS ARE UNACCEPTABLE AND DEMANDS UNCONDITIONAL AND IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF AID WORKERS

The surge in violence and fighting in Unity, Jonglei and Central Equatoria and the detainment of ten humanitarian aid workers are unacceptable violations of the 2015 Peace Agreement and the 2017 Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access.

JMEC is dismayed by reports that ten aid workers, working for UN agencies and NGO’s and supporting people in need, have gone missing from around Yei town in Central Equatoria. 

JMEC condemns this latest violation of the two-signed Agreements, which demand unimpeded access for humanitarian aid workers in South Sudan.

JMEC expects this deplorable situation to be resolved as quickly as possible and that the aid workers are found and released immediately and unconditionally.

JMEC also condemns a reported outbreak of fighting in Unity, Jonglei and Central Equatoria states, where violent clashes are reportedly causing an influx of internally displaced people, especially women, children and the elderly, seeking sanctuary.

These incidents must be investigated before any pronouncements can be made but all violence is unacceptable and potentially damaging to the on-going revitalisation process. JMEC therefore has asked CTSAMM to undertake the necessary investigation as stipulated in the 2017 Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access (ACoH).

JMEC further calls upon all signatory parties to cease fighting, avoid confrontation and protect civilians from harm or displacement and fully comply with the provisions of the ACoH in both letter and spirit.

ENDS