Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Anna Evstigneeva at UNSC briefing on South Sudan
Mr. President,
We are grateful to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Nicholas Haysom, as well as to the representatives of OCHA, Edem Wosornu, and the Interim Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, Charles Gituai, for the information provided. We welcome the participation of the Permanent representative of South Sudan.
Overall, in recent years, despite all the challenges, the authorities of the Republic of South Sudan have achieved relative stabilization and progress in state-building and in addressing issues of security. We expect that the process of creating a unified armed forces will be implemented at a more vigorous pace, to guarantee further advancement of the peace process and the holding of general elections at the end of 2024. This requires not only Juba's energetic work, but also a more constructive attitude on the part of representatives of opposition forces and movements.
The authorities of South Sudan are not sitting idly, but they are working painstakingly to prepare for the elections. These efforts are also highlighted in the Secretary General's report. Despite the difficult economic situation in the country, the institutions in charge of the electoral process have begun to receive funding, and regional offices of the National Electoral Commission have opened in every state. We also noted that, notwithstanding the protests by a number of dissenting political forces, the Election Commission declared that December 22, 2024 would be the polling day. We believe that this decision is a clear manifestation of the political will, the lack of which some Council members blamed Juba for. We hope that the South Sudanese will be able to reach a consensus on this issue, which is of particular importance in terms of state building in South Sudan. Ultimately, the issue of holding elections in the country is a sovereign affair of the country.
Under the current circumstances, the Security Council should support the efforts of the authorities of South Sudan aimed at advancing the political process, and assist in overcoming the difficulties this country with nascent state institutions is facing. It is crucial to support any solution that is agreeable to the South Sudanese themselves. Of course, this solution must be inclusive, and should be welcomed by the majority of the population.
We positively assess the ongoing negotiation process in Kenya with the representatives of the South Sudanese opposition who are not signatories the Revitalised Peace Agreement.
We commend the mediation efforts of the African Union and member states of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). We support international steps to stabilize the situation in South Sudan, strengthen peace and security, and assist the UN Mission in South Sudan in implementing specific provisions of the Revitalised Peace Agreement.
We share concerns regarding the humanitarian situation in South Sudan. The country is negatively affected by the conflict in neighboring Sudan. It takes in hundreds of thousands of refugees, primarily South Sudanese people who returning home. This has already significantly exacerbated the already difficult situation in the northern states and has become a serious challenge for Juba.
The leadership of South Sudan has been fairly successful in responding to human rights challenges, curbing inter-ethnic clashes and protecting women and children from violence. We believe that all those problems - although they are still still significant - are not the cause but the consequence of an unfinished political process, which the Council should fully support. We believe that it is of utmost importance to implement all the provisions of the Revitalised Peace Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, and fully comply with the time frame regulations set forth in the road map for a settlement. We strongly condemn any violations of the Agreement, as well as any acts of violence against civilians, including humanitarians working in South Sudan
Russia has consistently supported the work of UNMISS in that African State. The Mission is making a substantive contribution to the stabilization of the situation and the further implementation of all the provisions of the Revitalised Peace Agreement.
Thank you for your attention.
