What happens in South Sudan matters greatly to the European Union
Beyond the suffering of the South Sudanese people, this crisis risks affecting a much wider region already prone to instability (Sudan, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Horn). We remain strongly committed to supporting regional and international efforts to end the violence, and continue to call for a negotiated solution that will allow South Sudan’s leaders to resolve their differences peacefully and democratically.
Together with the international community, the EU is engaged to prevent the crisis descending into an ethnic-based civil war. We support the ongoing strengthening of UNMISS so that it can fulfil its protection of civilians mandate. We have pledged our firm support to the efforts of neighbouring countries and regional organisations, particularly IGAD, to achieve an immediate cease-fire and lay the ground for a political solution. We are pleased that IGAD and its members have wasted no time in seeking to mediate dialogue between the South Sudanese protagonists.
Catherine Ashton has welcomed the opening of South Sudan peace talks and she appeals for rapid agreement on ceasefire, monitoring and humanitarian access. There is no military solution to this conflict. She has underlined that an immediate ceasefire with effective monitoring established as quickly as possible is essential to spare the people of South Sudan any further suffering. She has requested the government to create conditions for an inclusive political discussion that requires the expedited release of all political leaders currently detained in Juba and also called on both parties to desist from public statements that might incite their followers.
The European Union Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, Alexander Rondos, has travelled to the region and is in constant contact with key actors in South Sudan and the region to support building consensus around IGAD mediation efforts. The European Union stands ready to continue to support that process both in substantive and financial terms. It is important that we all remain united behind IGAD's effort and give this process a chance.
We have also been very concerned by reports of human rights abuses. All parties need to be aware that perpetrators of systematic or targeted abuses of human rights will be held accountable for their actions. In particular the protection of all civilians must be respected. We welcome the African Union decision to establish a Commission to investigate the human rights violations and other abuses.
The EU Delegation and the ECHO office have remained – and continue to be - open throughout the crisis, and we have supported Member States in their efforts to evacuate their citizens and coordinated the evacuation of citizens of EU Member States not represented in Juba. We have also provided information on the unfolding situation to EU member states not represented here so that they could advise their citizens about the security conditions in South Sudan.
We continue to provide lifesaving humanitarian assistance to those in need. The EU has announced €50 million for humanitarian action in South Sudan to cover basic needs with regard to food, healthcare, clean water, sanitation, shelter, protection, etc. As a part of our ongoing commitment to the people of South Sudan, the EU and its member states have now provided around €170 million in humanitarian assistance to date in fiscal years 2013 and 2014. The European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, Kristalina Georgieva, warned that a humanitarian tragedy must be avoided at all cost and stressed the need for humanitarian actors to be present in country to continue their most essential work.
Since South Sudan's independence, the EU has invested heavily in the country's state and nation building efforts, and has become a major development partner. In 2011 and 2013, the EU adopted a number of projects worth €85 and €185 million respectively in the sectors of agriculture, education, health and rule of law. At present, the political and security environment is not conducive for regular development cooperation, and we are reviewing our portfolio of activities to determine what actions could continue being implemented and what actions would need to be suspended until a more conducive environment is reinstated. This review is being done with prime concern for both the security and safety of our implementing partners and the needs of the population who currently benefit from EU development activities.