In South Sudan, the 2018 Peace Agreement is at risk
Madam President,
Let me begin by thanking the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Anita Kiki Gbeho, as well as Mr. George Owinow and Ms. Lilian Riziq for their briefings.
I would like to address three points.
First, France reiterates its full support for UNMISS and for the United Nation Special Representative. This operation is essential to the country’s stabilization and must be able to operate at full capacity in order to implement its mandate.
France deplores the many impediments to the activities and freedom of movement of UN staff. The Status of Forces Agreement must be fully respected. France calls on the South Sudanese transitional government to cooperate fully with the United Nations.
Second, we note a further deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation, as underscored in the Secretary-General’s report. Clashes continue between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces, the parties to the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, and other armed actors. Intercommunal violence persists, once again causing large numbers of civilian casualties.
Given the persistence of one of the most serious humanitarian crises in the world, France commends the essential and brave work of humanitarian staff. France condemns the violence directed against them in South Sudan and honours the memory of the 30 humanitarian workers who lost their lives in the line of duty this year, 8 of them in the month of June alone. We also denounce the use of conflict-related sexual violence as a weapon of war, as well as all forms of sexual and gender-based violence.
Third, the political situation in the country remains tense and precarious. We note that the African Union’s calls for the withdrawal of charges against individuals detained on political grounds, including First Vice President Riek Machar, have gone unheeded. We again call on the South Sudanese authorities to follow up on this.
Madam President,
The 2018 Peace Agreement remains the foundation of the transitional government’s legitimacy. We regret measures aimed at amending the Peace Agreement without the consensus of all signatory parties. This undermines the peace process and risks fuelling tensions, as noted by the representative of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission in his statement.
Finally, France notes that the African Union, the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, and the Secretary-General’s report all underscore that major questions remain over the elections including funding, reforms, and security. Any election must be free, equitable, and transparent, in line with international standards and the Revitalized Peace Agreement.
In this regard, France calls upon the South Sudanese transitional government to allocate the resources needed for the drafting of a Constitution, the conduct of a census, and the unification of security forces.
Madam President,
The coming months will be crucial for South Sudan’s future. The South Sudanese transitional government, together with the other parties to the Revitalized Peace Agreement, must rise to their responsibilities and fully implement the 2018 Agreement. France stands with the people of South Sudan in support of the peace process.
Thank you.