Activists in Nigeria have called on President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar to dialogue to resolve areas of disputes and implement peace.
The group’s concern followed confrontations between government forces and white army in Nasir County of Upper Nile state.
In addition to the confrontations, there are reports of violation of 2018 peace agreement including removal of opposition (SPLM/A-IO) post holders, without consultation.
The misunderstandings in the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) continue to persist, a move that threatens peace in the country.
According to the statement extended to the media, Nigerian Civil Society Organisations call on South Sudan’s top leaders to end the conflict in Upper Nile state and other part of the country.
“We, the Nigerian Civil Society Organizations, urge President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar to take immediate action to prevent violence in the Upper Nile region of South Sudan” the statement partly read.
The group also urged the government to focus on peace and development adding that conflict continues to kill and displace citizens amidst world crisis.
“We are deeply concerned about the renewed violence in Upper Nile State” it read.
The group called on the government to release opposition leaders who are under detention and urged the parties involved in the conflict to cease hostilities.
“We call for the unconditional release of Dr. Machar’s allies who are still imprisoned” it read.
The Nigerian activists urged peace monitors, regional and international bodies to placed more attention on South Sudan peace in order to prevent further conflict.
“We urge the African Union, IGAD, UN, and the international community to urgently spearhead a process aimed at establishing a ceasefire, ensuring the safe delivery of humanitarian support, protecting civilians, and restoring normalcy in South Sudan” the statement read.
The group called for an accountability for the key actors involved the cycle of violence as part of achieving its “Silencing the Guns” agenda,
“The AU must go beyond issuing press releases and take concrete measures that will lead to lasting peace” the group stated in the letter.
Civil Society Organizations that signed the document are; Accountability Lab Nigeria (ALN), Citizens Participation Against Corruption Initiative, (CPACI), Connected Development (CODE), Muryar Talaka Awareness Initiative (MTAI), Rebuild Arewa Initiative for Development (RAID), Serve Africa Initiative (SAI), Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), Enough is Enough Nigeria (EIE), Yiaga Africa and Space for Change (S4C).
On separate statement, Ter Manyang, Executive Director for Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) condemned violations of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) by the incumbent Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU).