Madam President,
With just 42 days until South Sudan's planned first elections as a sovereign state, the country is at a critical juncture.
Since my last briefing, elections have dominated the political discourse, while the consensus around the transition has become increasingly fragile.
The central challenge facing South Sudan today is whether the transition remains anchored in the Revitalized Peace Agreement and whether the gains of recent years can be preserved and sustained beyond the elections.
Madam President,
Legislative amendments to the National Elections Act were adopted on September 21. The Transitional Government of National Unity was dissolved on September 22 and replaced by a caretaker administration that same day.
The Government has consistently maintained that these measures are intended to facilitate elections and advance the transition. In my engagements with Government officials, I have found a clear determination to proceed with the elections on the 22nd of December.
While the Inter-Party Dialogue was conducted and its outcome remains pending, some opposition groups remained outside the process. The SPLM/A-IO has maintained that the release of Dr. Riek Machar is a prerequisite for its participation in dialogue.
Key concerns about preparedness persist, including security arrangements, logistics, the National Electoral Commission's ability to deliver elections within an extremely compressed timeframe, and the implementation of outstanding provisions of the Peace Agreement.
The recent political changes also fall short of achieving the Peace Agreement's 35 per cent quota for women's representation.
The Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) is already conducting its nationwide primaries, while very limited electoral activity has been observed among other registered political parties.
As I noted in my last briefing, elections must be a milestone in the transition, not its conclusion. Elections cannot substitute for political dialogue, confidence-building and continued implementation of the Peace Agreement.
Madam President,
On the security front, the picture has become more complex. The fragile political landscape has not resulted in the large-scale conflict of the kind previously experienced. Our data shows that armed confrontations between the principal signatories have generally declined.
However, year-to-date, the number of people killed, injured and displaced has increased. Local grievances, factional divisions and competition over resources have increased and undermine confidence in the broader security environment.
For example, in Jonglei, confrontations involving government and opposition-aligned local forces, combined with the mobilization of armed youth, continue to threaten civilians and undermine stability.
In Unity State, divisions within the SPLM/A-IO have contributed to clashes around Leer and Rubkona Counties.
Violence in Rumbek and Greater Tonj Counties last month, which reportedly left more than 140 people dead, is a stark reminder of the human cost of local conflicts.
Communal violence remains the principal driver of civilian harm, accounting for more than 60 per cent of reported casualties this year.
Overall, addressing local tensions, strengthening accountability, and ensuring governance mechanisms are capable of deterring violence and resolving disputes are needed at all levels.
Madam President,
UNMISS is doing its utmost to support prevention and response measures in line with Security Council Resolution 2820.
For example, in Rumbek, UNMISS rapidly deployed to help protect civilians, secure the local hospital and assist humanitarian partners.
In Mundri East County, local conflict prevention efforts also contributed to the release of 72 abductees.
UNMISS has further streamlined its structure following an internal review and adapted its posture to align resources more closely with mandate priorities and areas of greater risk.
Force and Police are also implementing recommendations from the Military and Police Capability Study requested by the Council, including rebalancing the troop ratio between support and patrolling elements.
The Mission’s recalibration is yielding results. The Mission has doubled its Force protection tasks in support of humanitarians, enabling life-saving assistance to reach more than 321,000 vulnerable people since my last brief.
Madam President,
These efforts are not without challenges and risks.
In August, during a mission to a conflict area in Jonglei, three peacekeepers were killed, UN and national counterparts were injured. We extend our condolences to their families for the loss of their loved ones who gave their lives in the service of peace.
Our ability to fully deliver on the mandate also depends on being able to move freely, safely and predictably throughout the country. Freedom of movement is a protection issue.
Humanitarian access constraints have increased by 38 per cent over the past year. Delays in acknowledgements, including for Force protection, affected Ebola preparedness activities and humanitarian drought assessments in parts of the Equatorias.
Despite some assurances, UNMISS also continues to face movement restrictions in conflict-affected areas, including along the Sobat River corridor, limiting the Mission's ability to respond to protection concerns and support humanitarian operations.
Madam President,
Unfortunately, the humanitarian situation continues to worsen.
Approximately 10 million people require some form of humanitarian assistance. 1.4 million people have crossed into South Sudan since fighting broke out in Sudan.
An estimated 7.5 million people are food insecure. The number of people at risk of famine has increased. Climate change will further impact the prolonged dry spells and anticipated El Niño-induced flooding.
The regional Ebola outbreak adds another layer of risk and underscores the need for preparedness, cooperation and response.
If left unaddressed, political, security, and humanitarian challenges risk reinforcing one another, further exacerbating tensions and vulnerabilities across the country.
Madam President,
As parts of the greater Horn of Africa continue to confront conflict, displacement, and public health challenges, promoting stability in South Sudan remains a regional and international imperative.
Over this period, I have intensified engagement to help prevent escalation and preserve political space.
This has included engagements with President Salva Kiir and national stakeholders; outreach with neighboring countries; strengthened coordination with former President Kikwete; and regular consultations with the African Union and IGAD and the broader diplomatic community in Juba.
I welcome the continued efforts of the region and the AU High Representative, former President Jakaya Kikwete, including efforts to implement the C5+ recommendations and establish a joint AU-UN-IGAD mechanism to support these engagements.
The region can play an important role in encouraging consensus on the next phase of the transition.
However, the responsibility for charting the way forward rests with South Sudanese leaders. Renewed dialogue is needed now to focus on establishing a clear and credible roadmap for completing the outstanding provisions of the Revitalized Peace Agreement.
This would help build confidence, reduce uncertainty, and address some of the root causes of the conflict beyond the electoral period.
Madam President,
Allow me to conclude with four messages.
First, the fighting must stop. All parties must exercise restraint, protect civilians and uphold the ceasefire.
Second, unhindered humanitarian access and UNMISS freedom of movement saves lives and must be guaranteed in practice, not just in principle.
Third, political dialogue cannot wait. South Sudan's leaders should engage in an expanded and inclusive dialogue on the remaining provisions of the Agreement and the path beyond elections.
Fourth, support the AU C5+ declaration of 29 September, particularly its call for expanded and inclusive political dialogue on the remaining milestones of the Peace Agreement, and the consideration of the release of all political detainees.
Ultimately, the challenge facing South Sudan is not simply whether elections can be held on December 22 or not. It is whether the remainder of the transition can preserve peace, strengthen public confidence and deliver on the commitments made to the people of South Sudan.
The true measure of success is simple: whether South Sudanese citizens are safer tomorrow than they are today.
I thank you.
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Contact: UNMISS Spokesperson, Priyanka Chowdhury at chowdhury20@un.org or unmiss-spokesperson@un.org