DSRSG Soumaré calls on South Sudanese to make peace a reality

16 Jul 2015

DSRSG Soumaré calls on South Sudanese to make peace a reality

16 July 2015 - The outlook on the situation in South Sudan was not completely bleak, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General (DSRSG) (Political) Moustapha Soumaré said in Juba today.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr. Soumaré said he had repeatedly heard in different meetings at all levels during extensive travels to different states in the country since he arrived four months ago the phrase “we want peace now”.

“It is important for us to use this time now to make this phrase a reality,” said the DSRSG, who decried continuing fighting that had resulted in increased numbers of internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Noting concerns that warring parties were yet to sign a peace agreement, he mentioned some recent positive steps like the return of some former political detainees and continuing efforts by the international community to support peace negotiations.

“The message is how we can move forward, as the President (Salva Kiir) said in his speech during independence celebrations,” he added. “We hope that the next step will come soon.”

Mr. Soumaré stressed that the crisis could only be solved by South Sudanese themselves, although the international community would continue to support them,

“It is clear that the humanitarian situation is still dire,” he said. “The more fighting (there is), the more displacement (there is). For that to stop, the fighting has to stop and there has to be a peace accord.”

The DSRSG explained that UNMISS was not directly involved in negotiations, but would have a role to play in implementing a peace agreement, if one was signed.

Currently, the mission’s mandate was still limited to protecting civilians, monitoring and investigating human rights, creating conditions for delivery of humanitarian assistance and supporting implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, he said.

“What is really important to remember is that UNMISS is really engaging the government to ensure that we can implement our mandate effectively,” he said. “Although we have more than 160,000 IDPs, we have to engage the government to create conditions where they feel (more secure) and can voluntarily return to their homes.”

The DSRSG listed some challenges faced in carrying out its work such as restriction of patrols and lack of flight safety assurance sometimes.

“Protection of civilians is not just for those living on UNMISS sites, but also in places outside,” he stressed. “Sometimes, (the ability to do this in those places) is impeded by restrictions.”

Despite the challenges, he said the mission would continue to work with the government whose support was vital for the mission to implement its mandate.

“We might not always have the same views, but we have to sit, discuss, agree and work on the things on which we disagree,” he said. “Political dialogue with the government is key.”

The DSRSG described the revocation of a decision to expel the UNMISS Unity State Coordinator May Cummins from the state as “very encouraging” and an example of a positive outcome of engaging government both at the local and national level”.