The Embassies of Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States are deeply concerned by ongoing violence in Rumameer County, Abyei Administrative Area and Twic County, Warrap State. We express our deepest condolences to the families and communities where casualties have occurred.
We call for calm and restraint and urge all those in a position to influence the communities involved to take all appropriate steps to prevent further escalation and push for an end to the violence.
The Troika note our particular concern at ongoing UNISFA reports of SSPDF presence in Abyei, increasing the presence of weapons in the region and threatening Abyei’s demilitarised status.
We renew our calls upon the Transitional Government to urgently withdraw its troops in line with its commitments under the 2011 Status of Forces Agreement.