Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Anna Evstigneeva at UNSC meeting on South Sudan
Madam President,
We thank Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General Nicholas Haysom for the updates on the developments in the country. We welcome Akuei Bona Malwal, Permanent Representative of South Sudan at today's meeting. We listened carefully to Ms. Lilian Rizik, representative of the South Sudanese civil society.
We support international efforts, above all the UN missions, aimed at stabilizing the situation in South Sudan and strengthening peace and security in this young state. We welcome the unanimous decision taken on August 2 by the parties to the Revitalized Peace Agreement to extend the transition period by 24 months and the road map adopted in this regard. We think it to be the right decision in the current circumstances.
We call on the South Sudanese parties to work together to implement the road map. All structures operating within the framework of the peace agreement must have the necessary funding.
We welcome the release at the end of August of the contingent of the combined armed forces of South Sudan. Together with the establishment of unified command in April this year it is an important step towards strengthening the country's defense capability. We urge Juba to continue to prioritize the task of establishing a unified army. We consider this work to be key for the successful advancement of the peace process and the smooth conduct of the general elections scheduled for 2025. In order to facilitate the training of military personnel of the joint armed forces and state security structures, we believe it is reasonable to consider easing the existing sanctions regime against the RSS. We think that facilitated delivery of non-lethal military materiel to the country, approved by the Security Council in May this year, is an important but it is far from enough to meet Juba's legitimate aspirations, supported in solidarity by African neighbors.
Against this background, the security situation in the periphery remains complex. We are concerned about outbreaks of violence, especially in Unity State. We strongly condemn any violations of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, acts of violence against civilians, including humanitarian staff working in South Sudan. We commend African Union and the IGAD member states for their mediation efforts off. We note the work of the Community of St. Egidio, which helped two more groups to return to the path of dialogue during the reporting period. We call on all non-signatories of the Revitalized Peace Agreement to join the peace process.
Madam President,
In conclusion, we would like to note that it is our consistent position that the main task of the UN Mission in South Sudan should remain the stabilization of the security situation and assistance to the South Sudanese authorities in the implementation of the peace agreement. Solving problems related to the protection of human rights and the fight against corruption lies in the responsibility of Juba.
Thank you.
