Minister for Africa speaks about South Sudan at UNGA
Grant Shapps congratulates leaders on reaching peace agreement and calls for fast progress on implementation.
Minister for Africa, Grant Shapps, spoke at the High Level Event on South Sudan during the UN General Assembly鈥檚 70th meeting. He welcomed South Sudan鈥檚 leaders鈥� bold and irreversible decision to sign a peace agreement, calling on them to ensure this means South Sudan鈥檚 guns will be silenced for good.
Mr Shapps also highlighted the importance of accountability, reconciliation and healing in moving the country forward and welcomed the decision of the African Union to publish its Commission of Inquiry report on South Sudan. He looked forward to seeing progress on establishing the Hybrid Court and the Truth, Reconciliation and Healing Commission mandated by the peace agreement.
The UK鈥檚 commitment to peace and security in South Sudan was underlined by the Prime Minister鈥檚 announcement that up to 300 British troops would participate in the UN Mission in South Sudan. This comes on top of the 拢260 million already committed to the humanitarian response since the outbreak of the crisis in December 2013.
Speaking at the event Mr Shapps said:
I have one clear message for President Kiir and Riek Machar: You are responsible for implementing the agreement. Be bold. Respond to the people鈥檚 overwhelming plea for peace. Silence the guns for good.
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