Security Council Press Statement on South Sudan
The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Amr Abdellatif Aboulatta (Egypt):
The members of the Security Council welcomed the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGNU) in South Sudan on 29 April as an important milestone in implementation of the “Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan” (the Agreement).
The members of the Security Council recalled the thousands killed, the ongoing human suffering and the deteriorating economic situation and called upon the recently established TGNU to work together to fully implement the Agreement and bring an end to the cycles of violence and suffering, including by adhering to the permanent ceasefire, and by urgently creating the transitional institutions envisioned in the Agreement, which are needed to maintain security and build trust between the parties.
The members of the Security Council expressed appreciation for the efforts of the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS), the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) and the African Union through its High Representative for South Sudan, former President [Alpha Oumar] Konaré, to support formation of the TGNU and called on the TGNU to extend its full cooperation and support to the JMEC Chair, former President [Festus] Mogae, for implementation of the Agreement. The members of the Security Council stressed the importance of continued and active engagement on South Sudan by the region and the international community to ensure that peace, stability and prosperity are restored in the country.
The members of the Security Council underscored the importance of the TGNU to implement fully the Agreement, including its remaining provisions on governance and elections and on the permanent ceasefire and transitional security arrangements, as well as provisions on humanitarian assistance and reconstruction, resource, economic, and financial management, transitional justice, accountability, reconciliation, and healing, and the parameters of the permanent constitution.
The members of the Security Council underscored the pressing need for accountability for violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law in South Sudan, including ongoing violations and abuses that have been reported since the Agreement was signed.
The members of the Security Council recalled the 2.5 million people displaced from their homes and the 6.1 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, reiterated their grave concern at the dire humanitarian situation in South Sudan and condemned the severe impediments imposed by the parties on the ground to the delivery of humanitarian assistance. They called on the TGNU to urgently remove these impediments to ensure aid reaches those in need.
The members of the Security Council reminded the TGNU of its obligations under the status-of-forces agreement with UNMISS and called upon the TGNU to allow UNMISS freedom of movement to implement its mandate to protect civilians, monitor and investigate human rights, support the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and support implementation of the Agreement. The members of the Security Council stressed the need to strengthen cooperation between the TGNU and UNMISS to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers and other United Nations and associated personnel, including humanitarian personnel.
The members of the Security Council underscored the importance of the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) being allowed to move in South Sudan as necessary for the discharge of its mandate as envisaged under the Agreement.
The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the attack against the UNMISS compound in Bentiu on 25 April, while stressing that attacks directed against civilians, UNMISS personnel and United Nations premises are unacceptable and may constitute war crimes.
The members of the Security Council expressed their alarm at reports of intermittent violence witnessed in several areas of the country. The members of the Security Council called upon all parties to cease immediately all violence.
The members of the Security Council reiterated that they stand in solidarity with the people of South Sudan. The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and national unity of the Republic of South Sudan.