Remarks at a UN Security Council briefing on the political and humanitarian situation in South Sudan
Ambassador Robert Wood
Deputy Commissioner for Special Political Affairs
New-York, New-York
March 6, 2023
AS DELIVERED
Thank you Mr President. First of all, I would like to congratulate Malta on its successful Presidency and we wish Mozambique the best of luck as it begins its Presidency.
Second, we thank Special Representative Haysom for his thoughtful briefing today. I would also like to thank Mr. Talahma for his insights into the evolving situation in South Sudan.
The United States remains very loyal to the leadership of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, the people of UNMISS, and the troop- and police-contributing countries and humanitarian partners working to protect civilians in South Sudan and alleviate conflict in many troubled areas grateful areas.
We are deeply concerned by the increase in violence against civilians in South Sudan during the reporting period, where civilian killings increased by 79 percent, civilian injuries increased by 87 percent, abductions of women and children increased by 464 percent, and sexual violence related to conflict increased by 360 percent year-on-year, according to the latest UNMISS report. We reiterate our view that the leaders of the transitional government in South Sudan have a responsibility to end sub-national violence against their people and to hold perpetrators accountable.
We remind the interim government of South Sudan that it has failed in its primary responsibility to protect the civilian population of South Sudan. If the interim government is to achieve a successful transition to a permanent government, then it is imperative that it takes responsibility for protecting civilians and providing a safe and stable electoral environment.
We are heartened to hear that UNMISS restrictions on movement have been eased. We note that the freedom of movement of UNMISS, consistent with its mandate, is critical for the Mission to carry out its mandated tasks. We call on UNMISS to become more proactive in implementing its mandate to protect civilians and to deploy peacekeepers, regardless of local or national authority approval, to areas of heightened violence where civilians are at greatest risk of physical violence after restrictions on movement ease have improved.
We also emphasize that the leaders of the transitional government in South Sudan must deliver the results they committed to in the peace agreement and address urgent issues such as the ongoing violence in Upper Nile State and the dire humanitarian situation.
Regarding the humanitarian situation, we urge the interim government of South Sudan to facilitate unimpeded access to UNMISS peacekeeping forces, personnel and humanitarian partners across the country, including access along the Nile Corridor, to adequately respond to subnational outbreaks violence and provide life-saving aid to the people of South Sudan.
23.23 will be a crucial year for South Sudanese leaders to meet their commitments to implement the peace agreement benchmarks. We recognize the government’s request for UNMISS support for elections, but stress that the transitional leaders for free and fair elections must first expand the civil society space and create conditions in which all political parties, civil society, IDPs and South Sudanese citizens, including women, youth and displaced people, will be included equally and meaningfully in the peace process that will shape the future of South Sudan. We call on the interim government to act now and show the political will to create such conditions, including by ensuring that South Sudanese men and women are free to express their political views without fear of arrest.
The last point I would like to express is our deep concern about the humanitarian crisis. The interim government reported $1.6 billion in oil revenues last year but continues to fail to allocate those resources to the humanitarian needs of its people. We urge South Sudanese officials to use more of their oil revenues to address the crisis and to enable and facilitate safe access and the delivery of humanitarian assistance in South Sudan. We also condemn the killing of five humanitarian workers since the beginning of the year and call on the government to fully support humanitarian access and protect humanitarian workers who are working tirelessly to provide assistance to the people of South Sudan.
The United States remains committed to the cause of peace and the people of South Sudan.
Thank you Mr President.
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