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Statement by Minister Charlie Flanagan on renewed fighting in South Sudan
"I am alarmed by the renewed fighting and killings in South Sudan's capital Juba and in other parts of the country. After so much suffering and the hard won peace agreement, this violence is deplorable and, as the UN Secretary General has said, a betrayal of the people of the country.
"I call on all parties to end the violence immediately, to think beyond their own narrow interests and to focus instead on the future of their country. The people of South Sudan have been let down too often and have already suffered far too much. There is a particular responsibility on South Sudan's leaders to urgently restore stability and to recommit to full implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan.
"I condemn absolutely the attacks on UN personnel and premises, and on humanitarian operations. It is essential that humanitarian actors are allowed to access, without fears for their safety, the vulnerable populations who are in urgent need of assistance. I also urge all parties to demonstrate full respect for International Humanitarian Law.
"The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is monitoring the situation closely and our Embassy in Addis Ababa is in contact with Irish citizens in the area who are registered with the Department. We are also working closely with partner countries.
"Ireland has committed more than €8 million in humanitarian assistance to South Sudan, and South Sudanese refugees in the region, so far this year. The Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, Joe McHugh TD, visited a South Sudanese refugee settlement across the border in Uganda yesterday, where he pledged Ireland's continued support for those whose lives have been torn apart by this brutal conflict."
ENDS
Press Office
11 July 2016
Note to editors:
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade travel advice is being continuously updated to reflect the evolving situation and can be viewed on https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/ and through the Travelwise app. The helpline of the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade can be contacted at 00353 (0)1 4082000.
Minister Flanagan issued a statement yesterday regarding consular issues in South Sudan https://www.dfa.ie/news-and-media/press-releases/press-release-archive/2016/july/statementbyministerflanaganregardingconsularmattersinsouthsudan/