Minister Dion welcomes formation of South Sudan’s transitional government

The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement:

“Canada welcomes the formation of South Sudan's Transitional Government of National Unity under the leadership of President Salva Kiir and First Vice-President Riek Machar.

“This is an important step toward national reconciliation in South Sudan. We urge the government to make genuine efforts toward addressing the challenges the country faces.

“Most urgently, every possible step must be made by the national leadership to put an end to persistent conflict across the country and to give humanitarian agencies unfettered access to those in dire need of assistance.

“If South Sudan is to avoid returning to a cycle of violence and impunity, it is crucial for the government and the legislature to move quickly to establish the accountability institutions called for in the 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.

“Canada is committed to assisting the Transitional Government of National Unity as it sets out a new path for South Sudan.”