Members Express Dismay at Continued Violence, Hunger, Record Displacement, Climate Change Effects in Country The current year will be a “make-or-break” one for South Sudan, marking the start of a recent — and singular — 24-month extension of its transition process, United Nations officials told the Security Council today, warning against any further delays in implementing the young nation’s Revitalized Peace Agreement.
Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), said the Transitional Government recently recommitted to implementing the 2018 Peace Agreement — known officially as the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. Noting the Government’s promise that there will be no further extensions, he welcomed strides made to date, while also acknowledging some “slippage” against expected timelines. Several hurdles must be cleared to complete the final phase of implementation in 2024, he said, citing the need to draft a new constitution and fast-track preparations for the nation’s first-ever elections.
Confirming that the United Nations has received a request from the Transitional Government to support the electoral process, he said creating an environment conducive to voting is among several key UNMISS priorities. Another is helping to expand South Sudan’s civic and political space, which constitutes a “finishing line” by which the credibility of the electoral process will be judged and a democratic State can take root. There is also an urgent need to support the consolidation, strengthening and deployment of the country’s Necessary Unified Forces, and tackle inter-communal violence erupting in several parts of the country. It will also be crucial to address South Sudan’s deteriorating and underfunded humanitarian situation, in which aid workers continue to grapple with insecurity, criminality, operational interference and attacks, he said.
Briefing on the humanitarian dimension was Tareq Talahma, Acting Director of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs’ Operations and Advocacy Division, who said the situation in South Sudan has worsened since his last briefing to the Council, in June 2022. Violence, displacement, hunger and climate-related shocks are among the drivers of massive humanitarian need, he said, noting that a record 9.4 million people — 76 per cent of the country’s population — are likely to require aid in 2023. Nearly 8 million people will face crisis levels of acute food insecurity during the April-June lean season.
Meanwhile, he said, armed conflict and intercommunal violence continue to serve as main causes of displacement and food insecurity. While the United Nations and its humanitarian partners reached 5 million people in 2022, even more needs to be done in 2023, he said, pointing out that this year’s $1.7 billion Humanitarian Response Plan currently stands at only 3.5 per cent funded. Against that backdrop, he drew attention to the selection of South Sudan as a pilot country in the Secretary-General’s newly launched Action Agenda on Internal Displacement, emphasizing that the project offers a unique opportunity for sustainable solutions.
As Council members took the floor to share their views, many praised the work of UNMISS amid extremely challenging circumstances, while expressing grave concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in South Sudan. Some speakers welcomed the recent holding of the first-of-its-kind International Conference on Women’s Transformative Leadership in Juba, as well as a landmark visit to South Sudan by Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church. In addition, some delegates raised concerns about the impacts of climate change on the country’s humanitarian and security situations, while others warned against further expanding the UNMISS mandate.
The representative of Switzerland was among speakers who said South Sudan has now entered a decisive phase of its transition. “The expectations of the population must not be disappointed,” he stressed, noting the need to meet two key milestones — namely, drafting the constitution, and holding the country’s first-ever elections. He encouraged the parties to adhere to all deadlines set out in the roadmap agreed in 2022, which extended the transition period by 24 months, to establish institutions and to protect the country’s political and civic space. He also voiced concern over the recent escalation of violence in some parts of the country and worsening humanitarian crisis, which he stressed is compounded and exacerbated by the effects of climate change.
Mozambique’s representative, also speaking on behalf of the two other African Council members, Gabon and Ghana, spotlighted progress made in consolidating South Sudan’s State-building process. Praising regional efforts in support of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, he welcomed recent calls by South Sudan’s President, Salva Kiir, for all parties to refrain from violence. He welcomed the adoption of important new pieces of legislation, including laws that will help pave the way for political stability, while expressing concern that humanitarian challenges will further hinder national reconciliation. In addition, he underscored the need for funding to help South Sudan implement all aspects of the Peace Agreement.
The representative of Ecuador, praising the work of UNMISS, expressed his hope that South Sudan’s first-ever elections will take place peacefully and without further delay. The current phase of the country’s transition requires full inclusivity, he stressed, calling on the Government to achieve the minimum quota of 35 per cent for women in transitional and executive bodies. He also voiced concern over attacks, intimidation, obstacles and other impediments to the work of civil society actors, while calling for the establishment of a hybrid tribunal in South Sudan to hold accountable the perpetrators of international law violations.
China’s delegate underscored the urgent need to implement the Revitalized Peace Agreement and benchmarks set out by the extended roadmap, calling on the international community to offer support through tangible action. Taking note of the Government’s request to the United Nations for election assistance, he voiced support for more targeted support, while calling for the immediate lifting of Council-imposed sanctions that are impeding South Sudan’s capacity to protect civilians. Ahead of the renewal of the UNMISS mandate — expected later this month — he called for realistic arrangements, pointing out that the mandate is currently expanding in ways that may exceed the Mission’s competence and undermine the Government’s trust.
Also participating was the representative of South Sudan, who said his country’s people are currently grappling with the severe impacts of climate change — namely, an unprecedented combination of floods and droughts, which are devastating crop yields and animal husbandry in rural areas. “Without prompt action from both the Government and the global community […] some regions may face a famine crisis,” he warned, noting that indicators already reveal impending signs of starvation. While the 24-month extension of South Sudan’s transition period began just 10 days ago, political differences have already arisen between several signatories, he said, calling for regional and international partners to step in. “We remain hopeful that South Sudan can move forward towards a brighter future and build upon the progress already made,” he concluded.
Source: UN Security Council