The following statement is issued on behalf of the Heads of Mission of Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States:
The Troika are deeply concerned by the South Sudan Transitional National Legislative Assembly’s passage of a bill to unilaterally extend the transitional government’s term, and calls on President Kiir to reject it. This move will not lead to lasting peace and we do not consider this as a legitimate step. The vote on July 12 undermines the ongoing peace talks with opposition groups and civil society. The South Sudanese authorities should urgently focus on negotiating an inclusive transitional governing arrangement that will lead to free and fair elections and new leadership in the most expeditious and responsible manner possible. Without a negotiated and inclusive agreement, there can be no sustainable peace in South Sudan.
