By Matik Kueth
The British Ambassador to South Sudan, David Ashley, has reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to fostering peace, stability, and development in the country.
While addressing a press conference in Juba on Wednesday, Ashley emphasized the long-standing cooperation between the UK and South Sudan, underlining the UK’s continued support for peace and humanitarian aid.
He said the British embassy will remain in Juba, though some countries had closed their embassies.
“The UK has been a steadfast champion of the people of South Sudan for many years. I confirm to His Excellency, the President, that the British Embassy will stay and will continue its support to the South Sudanese people. Our mission here is simple, to support peace and development so that the people of South Sudan can enjoy the fruits of their very hard-won independence,” Ashley stated.
Since South Sudan’s independence, the UK has so far provided over $2.2 billion in assistance, focusing on critical sectors such as health, education, and humanitarian aid.
Despite global financial challenges, Ashley noted that the United Kingdom would continue to provide major international assistance to South Sudan’s most vulnerable population.
“We are, for example, proud to have supported 400,000 individuals each year with food and cash assistance, to have facilitated over 1 million students to attend school, and to have vaccinated over 1.5 million children against deadly diseases. The UK will continue to provide significant international assistance, including urgently needed food and medical support to the most vulnerable,” he said.
However, he urged the South Sudanese government to be determined in utilizing the country’s resources to aid civilians.
“It is more important than ever that the government of South Sudan also devotes more of its own resources to those same needs, including in terms of health, education and humanitarian aid,” he stressed.
Acknowledging the complex challenges facing the country, Ashley pointed to regional instability and climate change as additional hurdles.
“The war in Sudan, climate change, and, sadly, the ongoing violence are only adding to the challenges. So, peace must be the basis for development. Neither South Sudan, nor the region, nor the world can afford another conflict here,” he emphasized.
The British Ambassador also condemned recent ceasefire violations, including a recent bombing on a hospital supported by MSF.
“We regret the serious and repeated violations of the ceasefire we have seen since February, including the recent bombing of the MSF hospital in Old-Fangak on the 3rd of May,” he lamented.
He called on parties to return to dialogue, as well as the unconditional release of political detainees, including first vice president Dr. Riek Machar.
Ashley’s appeal reflects the UK’s continual commitment to South Sudan’s peace process, highlighting the necessity of regional stability, continued aid, and diplomatic efforts to achieve long-term peace.