Security Council Press Statement on South Sudan

The following Security Council press statement was issued on 9 January by Council President Baso Sangqu ( South Africa):

The members of the Security Council were briefed on 5 January 2012 by Hervé Ladsous, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, on the recent inter-communal violence between the Lou Nuer and Murle tribes in Jonglei State in South Sudan.

The members of the Security Council expressed deep concern at the reports of casualties in Jonglei State.  They deplored the loss of life and livelihood of persons affected by the violence, and emphasized the primary responsibility of the Government of the Republic of South Sudan to protect its population, in particular the most vulnerable groups such as women and children.  The members of the Security Council underscored that violence in any form is unacceptable, and they called on all communities in Jonglei State immediately to end the cycle of conflict and engage in a reconciliatory peace process.

The members of the Security Council welcomed the efforts of the Government of the Republic of South Sudan to mediate a solution to the crisis and to protect civilians.  The members of the Security Council called upon the Government of the Republic of South Sudan to continue to engage in an inclusive processto resolve in a comprehensive manner the root causes of this recurring violence, and to deploy the necessary means to ensure the protection of civilians.

The members of the Security Council commended the early response of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to the situation, including its engagement with the Government of the Republic of South Sudan and the international community, to warn of potential conflict, and its active efforts to adopt effective measures to assist the Government in protecting the civilian population.   The members of the Security Council expressed concern with UNMISS’ shortfall of operational air transport assets, which seriously impacts its ability to carry out its mandate, and urged the Secretary-General to continue efforts to address this problem.

The members of the Security Council expressed concern about the quantity and sophistication of weapons used in recent inter-communal conflicts.  They encouraged UNMISS to carry forward its support of the Government of the Republic of South Sudan inongoing security-sector reform, as well as the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former rebel fighters, as mandated in Security Council resolution 1996 (2011).

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For information media • not an official record