Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Africa, Sudan, and South Sudan, Peter Lord on Thursday said there is an urgent need for all South Sudan’s leaders to take the steps necessary to hold credible and peaceful elections in December.
The U.S. official who visited South Sudan February 28-29 also urged the leaders to reject violence as a tool for political competition.
In a statement extended to Radio Tamazuj about his visit, Lord stated: “Failure to do so (reject violence) would be a collective failure for which those leaders would share responsibility.”
He said that the United States’ support to the people of South Sudan began decades ago and is based on the conviction that the people of South Sudan deserve peace, human rights, democracy, and a government that is responsive to the needs of its citizens.
“We continue to look for signs that South Sudan’s leaders share these values,” Lord said. “Beyond taking steps needed for credible and peaceful elections, the transitional government can demonstrate its alignment with these values through transparent use of public revenue to fund public needs and by protecting its population from violence, including sexual and gender-based violence.”
“Such steps will help demonstrate sincere support for peace,” he stressed.
Lord emphasized that it is the responsibility of South Sudan’s leaders to provide nothing less to the people of South Sudan.
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