UK condemns detention of monitoring team in South Sudan
The British Embassy in Juba has released the following statement following the detention of a ceasefire monitoring team in South Sudan:
“The UK strongly condemns the unwarranted detention of the IGAD Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (MVM) team as it went about its legitimate business in Mayom county, South Sudan on 23 August 2014. The UK also regrets the death of a member of the team during the incident and looks forward to a swift and transparent investigation into what occurred.
The MVM has a critical role to play in bringing peace and stability to South Sudan. All parties have committed to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA) signed in Addis Ababa on 23 January 2014. We call on all parties to respect that agreement. Interference with or impediments to movement of the MVM are a clear violation of the COHA.
The UK remains committed to the people of South Sudan and to supporting the efforts of IGAD to bring the peace and stability they deserve.”