December 13, 2022
Mr. President.
I thank Special Representative Nicholas Haysom and the representative of IGAD for their statements. I welcome the participation of South Sudan here today.
Let me emphasize three points.
The 2024 elections set a political horizon for South Sudan. The magnitude of the challenges to address until then requires the full implementation of the roadmap adopted last August without delay. I am referring to the allocation of the necessary budgetary resources, the definition of the legislative and constitutional framework and the establishment of institutions, starting with the national electoral commission and the council of political parties. I welcome the start of the process to draft the future constitution of South Sudan. It is also essential to create the conditions for the participation of civil society to ensure the credibility of the elections. UNMISS has been mandated to support South Sudan in the preparation of these elections. Finally, I welcome the role of regional actors, whose cooperation with the United Nations is crucial.
Mr. President,
UNMISS is today the main force for the protection of the population. We are deeply concerned by the deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation. Too often, the intervention of peacekeepers is necessary to put an end to violence that is fueled by national political rivalries. The clashes in Upper Nile State are particularly alarming. In the face of the floods, it is again UNMISS that is protecting the population from a humanitarian disaster in Bentiu.
Mr. President,
In light of these facts, we must face reality: the protection of civilians will remain the core of UNMISS’ mandate as long as the South Sudanese security forces do not fulfill this role and gain the confidence of the population. We are encouraged in this regard by the decision to deploy the necessary unified forces to Upper Nile and Warrap. There is an urgent need to continue integrating combatants, equipping, paying, and deploying these forces on the basis of clear missions. Ongoing efforts must also be accelerated to circumscribe the remit of the security forces and to reduce their numbers.
Mr. President,
We hear the calls from South Sudan for more capacity building. Helping the authorities to fulfill their prerogatives in an autonomous manner is of course essential in view of the transition of UNMISS. Many of the tasks being carried out by UNMISS today and by the UN Country Team are already supporting this process.
Further engagement of UNMISS requires demonstration of the political will of the authorities, both in Juba and at the local level. Several steps forward have been taken in the last year on the measures defined in Resolution 2567. I am referring to the graduation of combatants, the agreement on the unified command and the reduction of UNMISS movement restrictions, which must continue. The redeployment of these forces is the next major step that can be taken between now and the renewal of the mandate. Any UN support will in any case be conditional on progress in security sector reform and respect for human rights.
Thank you.