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JUBA - 18 Jul 2018

South Sudan accuses Troika of interfering in its sovereignty

Photo: South Sudan President Salva Kiir
Photo: South Sudan President Salva Kiir

South Sudan government has accused the Troika group of nations, the country’s largest donor, of interfering in the youngest nation's sovereignty.

The claims come amid growing pressure on South Sudanese government after it decided to extend its term until 2021.

Last Friday, members of the ‘Troika’ — the United Kingdom, United States, and Norway — asked President Salva Kiir to reject parliament’s vote to extend government’s term for three years. The extension was also criticized by South Sudan’s opposition saying it could undermine peace talks.

 “It was a blatant interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state. Our parliament is sovereign and has the right to amend the constitution. Our parliament has the right to debate whatever they went to debate,” said Baak Valentino Wol, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The senior official on Tuesday said foreign envoys have no right to criticize the state of affairs in South Sudan.” Foreign governments have no right to criticize the parliament and even advise our president to reject the decision of our parliament,” Baak said.

The South Sudanese diplomat defended the controversial term extension saying it will benefit the people of South Sudan. “If there are people who are criticizing it, these are people I feel they are not for peace and stability of this country, “he said.

The foreign ministry also summoned France’s ambassador in Juba Jean-Yves Roux to protest against his public statement in which he deplored reported killings of hundreds of civilians in Unity State.