Addis Ababa, 21 July 2014: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, strongly condemns the attack that was carried out on 20 July 2014, in Nassir Town, in the Upper Nile State, by the SPLM/A (in Opposition), headed by Dr. Riek Machar.

The attack is all the more reprehensible as it took place against the background of renewed efforts by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), with the support of the AU, the United Nations (UN) and other members of the international community, to move forward the peace process. The attack is in violation of the recommitment made by the Parties, in Addis Ababa, on 9 May 2014, to fully comply with the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.

The Chairperson of the Commission calls on all the South Sudanese parties, in particular the SPLM/A (in Opposition), to fully comply with all Agreements they have signed and immediately return to the negotiating table. She also calls on them to respect the integrity of the Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (MVM), as well as to guarantee the safety of its Monitors, who have been deployed in various locations in South Sudan, including in Nassir Town.

The Chairperson of the Commission reiterates AU’s continued support to IGAD mediation efforts. She stresses the urgency of reconvening the political talks so as to facilitate the early establishment of the transitional Government as per the 9 May and 10 June 2014 Agreements and a lasting solution to the conflict.