Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Anna Evstigneeva at UNSC briefing on the situation in South Sudan
Mme.President,
We thank SRSG Haysom and Interim Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission Maj. Gen Charles Tai Gituai for the briefings. We are also very appreciative of the account provided by Professor Marco Impagliazzo, President of the Community of Sant'Egidio. We welcome the Permanent Representative of the Republic of South Sudan to the UN, Ambassador Akuei Bona Malwal, to this meeting.
South Sudan is living through a complicated time in history. A conflict in the neighboring Sudan has a strong influence on the situation in the country, creating some serious problems. The number of refugees and returning South Sudanese is nearing 90 thousand people, which becomes a heavy burden for the country. Against this backdrop, we welcome the political and diplomatic efforts of President of South Sudan, S.Kiir Mayardit, that he has taken since the beginning of the confrontation in Sudan. Juba, as well as other countries of the region are familiar with the complicated political dynamic in the country. This is a necessary factor in terms of searching for settlement.
Despite the complexity of the situation, the government of South Sudan has been able to make progress in state-building, meeting its commitments under the Revitalized Peace Agreement and the roadmap. We note the fruitful work of the Parliament, the beginning of preparations for the elections that are scheduled for December 2024 and work on the constitution. We agree that these processes need to accelerate to meet the previously agreed timelines. However, all of this requires an increased support for Juba.
We believe that targeted efforts of the South Sudanese authorities to establish a united national armed force as a guarantor for further progress in the peace process and the successful holding of general elections should remain a priority. We note the completion of the first phase of building a unified army, the agreements that were made regarding the structure of the mid-level command, and the adoption of budget for the deployment of military graduates. However, the launch of the second phase remains stalled.
Mme.President,
We are concerned over the outbreaks of violence that are reported to take place in the periphery areas of the country, local clashes, and inter-communal armed conflicts that give start to more flows of refugees and IDPs. Clashes among various groups of the opposition are also very concern-raising. We strongly condemn any violations of the Peace Agreement, acts of violence against civilians, including humanitarians who work in South Sudan. We take note of the response measures taken by the government of the country.
We commend the mediator efforts of the African Union and IGAD member states. We count on your continuing engagement via the Community of Sant'Egidio aimed at bringing the new formations on the dialogue track. We call on the non-signatories of the Revitalized Peace Agreement to join the peace process.
We support the work of the UN Mission in South Sudan, which contributes meaningfully to stabilizing the situation and implementing the Peace Agreement. We advocate for a close coordination of UNMISS and the local authorities that should help resolve the inter-communal conflicts effectively. We call on UNMISS to pay greater attention to stabilizing the situation and assisting the authorities of South Sudan in implementing the obligations of the transitional period.
Mme.President,
The sanctions regime that Security Council imposed on South Sudan has made it much more difficult to deploy unified armed forces and strengthen national security authorities. The parameters of the arms embargo are being eased, but this is not enough. More decisive steps toward easing these restrictions are needed, as requested by Juba and echoed by the African Union. We strongly oppose Security Council sanctions being used to exert pressure and interfere in the internal affairs of South Sudan. We are also up against supplementing UNSC sanctions with illegal unilateral restrictive measures.
Thank you.
