January 28, 2015 - The Honourable Deepak Obhrai, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and for International Human Rights, today issued the following statement:
“With over a million people displaced internally, and another 400,000 having taken refuge in other countries, the humanitarian situation in South Sudan remains dire. Notwithstanding repeated commitments by both sides to respect the cessation of hostilities agreement, there are continuing reports of clashes between government and opposition troops in Unity and Upper Nile states.
“Canada is deeply concerned by this tragic situation and the apparent lack of commitment by the principal parties to the peace process mediated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development [IGAD].
“While the recent Arusha Agreement addresses some important issues, we urge both sides to seize the opportunities offered by the meetings of IGAD and the African Union [AU] Peace and Security Council this week on the margins of the AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and to genuinely work toward the formation of a government of national unity.
“To be sustainable, a settlement must take into account the findings of the AU Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan. Without accountability and justice, peace will not be sustainable and reconciliation will remain elusive.
“The people of South Sudan have suffered too much already and are counting on their leaders to guide them toward the better future they deserve.”
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