PRESS STATEMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA

ON THE SITUATION IN SOUTH SUDAN ISSUED BY

HON. BERNARD K. MEMBE (MP), MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA, 19^TH DECEMBER, 2013

The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania is gravely concern with the deteriorating security situation in South Sudan, following the outbreak of fighting in capital, Juba, and other areas since 15 December, 2013, which resulted in a number of causalities of soldiers as well as civilian population. The fighting is a serious political setback to South Sudan, the world’s new nation which was formed in 2011 after two decades of war. Also, the fighting is a serious setback to the progress made, so far, in the last two years of the existence of South Sudan, as a sovereign state and will lead to the suffering of the civilian populations, who had already started to enjoy peace dividend.

In this respect, the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania joins the United Nations and the African Union in urging the parties concerned with the fighting in South Sudan to exercise restraint and refrain from any action that may further escalate violence, causalities and humanitarian crisis in that country.

Furthermore, the Government of Tanzania also calls upon the parties concerned to engage in dialogue in order to find a solution of their differences through peaceful means, with due respect of rule of law, human rights and constitutional legality.

Moreover, while reports indicate that so far no Tanzanian has been affected by the fighting, the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania calls upon all the parties concerned, most particularly the Government of the Republic of South Sudan to ensure the safety of all the people, not only the South Sudanese but also all the foreigners in South Sudan, including Tanzanian Nationals.

Finally, the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania wishes to express its readiness to support efforts by the United Nations, the African Union and the International Community, as a whole, aimed at finding a lasting peace to in South Sudan.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION