U.S. Issues Statement on Fighting in Juba, South Sudan

South Sudan: Outbreak of Fighting in Juba

Press Statement
John Kirby
Assistant Secretary and Department Spokesperson, Bureau of Public Affairs
Department of State
Washington, DC
July 9, 2016

The United States expresses grave concern with the outbreak of fighting in Juba on July 7 and 8. We urge all parties in the Transitional Government of National Unity to take immediate steps to reduce tensions. We call on the leaders of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movements in government and in opposition to immediately direct their forces to disengage and cease fighting. We welcome the joint public message by President Salva Kiir Mayardit, First Vice President Riek Machar Teny, and Vice President James Wani Igga calling for calm.

We have pressed the leaders of the Transitional Government at the highest level to accelerate implementation of the peace agreement. Sustained cooperation, engagement, and reform to confront the country’s grave challenges are essential to avoid a return to widespread conflict. We have urged South Sudan’s leaders to operationalize the security arrangements in the agreement, particularly by establishing Joint Integrated Police units to patrol Juba, empowering the Joint Operations Center to ensure communication and coordination between forces in Juba, and directing the Joint Military Ceasefire Commission to operate continuously.

We hope that today, the fifth anniversary of South Sudan’s independence, can serve as a reminder of the promise of the new nation and foster a spirit of unity and peace for the coming year.


South Sudan: United States Demands an Immediate End to Fighting in South Sudan

Press Statement
John Kirby
Assistant Secretary and Department Spokesperson, Bureau of Public Affairs
Department of State
Washington, DC
July 10, 2016

In response to ongoing violence in South Sudan, the Department of State ordered today the departure of non-emergency personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Juba. U.S. citizens in South Sudan are advised to take precautions to enhance their personal security and should check U.S. Embassy Juba’s website for the latest consular information, including security messages and the latest Travel Warning. The Embassy’s ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Juba is extremely limited.

The United States strongly condemns the latest outbreak of fighting in Juba today between forces aligned with President Salva Kiir Mayardit and those aligned with First Vice President Riek Machar Teny, including reports we have that civilian sites may have been attacked. We again call on both leaders and their political allies and commanders to immediately restrain their forces from further fighting, return them to barracks, and prevent additional violence and bloodshed. The United States is determined to ensure appropriate measures are taken to hold accountable those responsible for continuing fighting and violations of international humanitarian law, including attacks on the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and targeting of civilians.

We are in active communication with African Union and regional leaders at the most senior levels; all are working jointly to press the South Sudanese leaders and their commanders to end the fighting. We have asked for an emergency session of the UN Security Council to address the situation.