UN Security Council: UK statement on South Sudan

Thank you President, and thank you Under-Secretary-General Lacroix for your briefing.

I also welcome the participation of the representative of South Sudan at our meeting.

Let me begin by praising SRSG Haysom and UNMISS for their tireless efforts in protecting and assisting the people of South Sudan in challenging and often dangerous circumstances.

President, the picture in South Sudan remains bleak.  The country has witnessed terrible violence since independence.  The South Sudanese authorities need to take every measure to prevent it from descending into violence again.

We call on the Government of South Sudan to mitigate this risk by demonstrating true political will, and urgently taking the necessary steps to deliver credible, peaceful, and inclusive elections.

To date, very limited progress has been made. We welcome the fact that members of both the National Constitutional Review and National Elections Commission have now been sworn in.

We call on the Government of South Sudan to disperse the allocated resources to enable this crucial work to get underway.

And we further urge the South Sudanese authorities to take immediate action on the critical political decisions as set out by UNMISS. T

hese steps include voter registration, agreeing the type of election to be called, a permanent constitution, and implementation of the necessary parts of the Peace Agreement, including deployment of the Necessary Unified Forces.

Candidates and parties need to be able to campaign freely without threat. So we call on the South Sudanese Government to protect civic and political space as cornerstones of a functioning democracy.

President, elections would represent a historic moment for the South Sudanese people who have yet to enjoy the benefits of peace.

Sub-national armed conflict, the effects of climate change, and displacement from Sudan have resulted in an appalling humanitarian crisis.

The United Kingdom recognises the South Sudanese Government’s efforts to support arrivals from Sudan and notes the stress this is placing on communities and resources.

We call on the South Sudanese Government to provide a conducive environment for delivery of aid, to remove bureaucratic impediments and prevent attacks on aid workers.

In closing, a huge task lies ahead. The people of South Sudan deserve peace, democracy, and a government that is accountable to them.

Thank you.