Pittella: "European Parliament has taken a stand against violence and child soldiers in South Sudan"

Today the European Parliament sent a clear signal to the warring sides in South Sudan that it expects immediate action to avoid a worsening humanitarian crisis and to end the horrific practice of abducting children to fight in this bloody war. After more than a year of negotiations to form a transitional power-sharing government, a deadline of 10 March has lapsed and no significant progress has been made. 1.4 million people have been displaced in the country, 500,000 have fled to neighbouring countries and approximately 12,000 children have been recruited to fight with armed groups.

Following the adoption of a resolution led by the Socialists and Democrats Group, S&D Group president Gianni Pittella, stated:

"The European Parliament has today taken a stand against the bloody internal conflict in South Sudan and the abduction of children. The use of children in war by both sides to the conflict is an utterly abhorrent crime. There can be no excuse for it. Those responsible for these crimes must be pursued and brought to justice.

"We call on the European Union to pay special attention to this dramatic reality. The EU should not hold back and must seriously consider an arms embargo and sanctions against those fuelling the conflict. We will also support the efforts of the African Union and the international community to find a solution to the conflict, which risks destabilising the whole region.

"We are losing patience with the fact that South Sudan's leaders seem to be putting their own interests above those of the millions of people who are on the brink of starvation, the innocent children brutalised and the hundreds of thousands who have been forced to flee their homes.

"Let's stop this massacre now."

S&D MEP Ana Gomes added:

"The UN Security Council resolution considering individual sanctions against those who obstruct the peace process should be implemented immediately. We call on the African Union to publish the report of its own inquiry commission on South Sudan. The people of South Sudan deserve an end to the war and an end to impunity."