Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Anna Evstigneeva at UNSC briefing on the situation in South Sudan
Mr.President,
We thank SRSG Haysom for the updates on the situation in South Sudan. We listened to the presentation by the Interim Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, Ambassador and Major General (retd.) Charles Tai Gituai, and also to the briefing by the Chair of Security Council Sanctions Committee 2206 and Permanent Representative of Gabon to the United Nations, Ambassador Michel Xavier Biang. We welcome the Permanent Representative of South Sudan, Ambassador Akuei Bona Malwal to this meeting.
Russia fully supports the international efforts aimed at stabilizing the situation in South Sudan, as well as sustaining peace and security in that country. Over the recent months, South Sudan has made further progress in implementing the Revitalized Peace Agreement. Key state institutions approved of the decision to prolong the transition period, and the roadmap that was adopted back in August, has been incorporated in the transitional constitution. After the first contingent of the consolidated armed forces arrived at the end of August, South Sudanese military welcomed new recruits from Jonglei, Bahr El Ghazal, Unity and Upper Nile. The national parliament passed several critical bills, i.a. on drafting of the constitution and on national police.
We call on South Sudanese sides to establish joint work to implement the roadmap. All mechanisms that function in the framework of the Peace Agreement need to have the required financing.
We welcome South Sudan’s role in the region and its readiness to provide (despite the country’s own domestic problems) assistance and support settlement in the neighboring DR Congo through participation in the EAC Regional Force.
Mr.President,
The situation with security at the periphery of the country remains complicated. Inter-communal violence does not subside. We are particularly concerned over the deteriorating situation in the Upper Nile state, which is caused by unstopping clashes among the wings of the Kitgwang faction. At the same time, we note the response measures taken by the government, including establishment of the two commissions for investigation of high-profile incidents in Mayom and Tonj North counties.
We strongly condemn all violations of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, acts of violence against civilians, including the personnel of humanitarian organizations deployed in South Sudan. We commend the mediator efforts of the African Union and member states of IGAD. We note the engagement of Community of Sant'Egidio. In the past few months, it was able to unite two factions of the South Sudan Opposition Alliance Movements. We hope that negotiations under Sant'Egidio auspices will continue. We also note the efforts of UNMISS and SRSG Haysom in boosting support for South Sudanese peace process.
Mr.President,
We are convinced that peace process cannot be further promoted and 2025 general elections cannot convene successfully in the absence of effective armed forces. The consolidated military of the South Sudan which is being formed at the moment needs international support more than ever. In order to facilitate this process, we believe we should consider the possibilities for further easing of South Sudan’s sanctions regime. We call on our colleagues on the Security Council to listen to the legitimate requests of Juba, which are supported by African neighbors in full solidarity.
Thank you.
