Joint Communique by the Transitional Government of National Unity

 And

The United Nations Security Council

September 4, 2016

Near Verbatim Transcript

Minister Lomoro:  Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening and thank you for being with us throughout this very important day.

I have the opportunity to read the communique between the United Nations Security Council delegation and the Government of the Republic of South Sudan the leadership our President General Salva Kiir Mayardit.

The Transitional Government of National Unity expressed its determination to implement the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, in particular the reform agenda now that the transitional legislative assembly is in place.

The United Nations Security Council and Transitional Government of National Unity agreed to work in fresh spirit of cooperation to advance the interests of South Sudanese people particularly their aspiration for justice, liberty and prosperity.

They agreed that the humanitarian and security needs of the people were paramount. To improve the security situation, the Transitional Government of National Unity gave its consent to the deployment as part of UNMISS of the regional protection force recently authorized by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2304.

Further, the United Nations Security Council agreed  that the troops contributing countries, UNMISS, and the Transitional Government of National Unity will continue to work through the modalities of deployment, building upon the consultations of August 25 and September 1^st respectively, and anticipating any further discussions that will follow.

The Transitional Government of National Unity commits to permit free movement to UNMISS in conformity with its mandate including to protect civilians. To this end, the Transitional Government of National Unity commits to devising a plan with UNMISS by the end of September 2016 on concrete steps to remove impediments  to UNMISS’s ability to implement its mandate including reviewing procedures related to movement of UNMISS and streamlining bureaucratic processes. UNMISS commits to inform the Transitional Government of National Unity of all movements and of any other details as would be appropriate.

The Transitional Government of National Unity signals its readiness to implement Chapter V of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, including to work with the African Union to work in setting up the Hybrid Court for South Sudan, as soon as the African Union provides proposals for its work as provided for in that agreement.

Finally the Transitional Government of National Unity commits to immediately improve humanitarian access, including by providing assistance in eliminating illegal check points and by reviewing by the end of September 2016 with the UN humanitarian coordination modalities for streamlining bureaucratic processes and access to populations in need.

End of Statement

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Questions and Answers

Question:       How soon?

Answer:          You heard the statement, the statement is very clear, we have no objection to the contributing countries but that there are modalities that we’ve agreed and harmonize before the process takes place thank you

Question:       The discussion of the modalities does it include the number of troops?

Answer:         We have already started that process, so far we have conducted four meetings, it includes everything; definition of words, meaning of statements, contributing countries, number of troops, modalities for operationalization

Question:       Does it mean you will negotiate over the number of troops?

Answer:          We will design modalities, thank you

Question:       I have one question for her

Answer:          There’s no her here, just ask me

US Ambassador Samantha Power – I will do a press conference later this evening but its ok……

Question:       [Inaudible] a truck of UNMISS was loaded with guns was caught in Rumbek what assurance are you giving to the government and people of South Sudan; are they not going to do the same thing supporting the rebels through the loading the trucks with the guns ?  What assurance are you going to give us ?

Answer:          US Ambassador Samantha Power - thank you, I  will let UNMISS who can speak for itself speak to any specific allegation, but I can tell you that we on the UN Security Council have the utmost confidence in UNMISS’s impartiality its independence; it is true that members from a particular ethnic group may gather at PoC site because they are afraid, and they are from that area, that has happened, that’s no secret; but UNMISS has an impartial mandate to protect civilians no matter who they are, no matter where they are. The number one obstacle to them fulfilling that mandate up to this point has been the severe restrictions on their movement; the requirement for written permission before they move from point A to point B and we are very encouraged that President Kiir was very clear in the meeting that’s not his intention that he has asked that UNMISS be granted free movement, that humanitarian actors be able to provide relief to those in need no matter where they are, no matter where they come from, so what we need to do now is move from these really important high level commitments into working out the modalities in an operational way, and again the UN Security Council is very clear on what is needed and what is sought and the government was very receptive to sitting down, and we just need to do that in a very urgent way because of course as everyone knows the population is vulnerable in different parts of this country.   Thank you