8 November 2012 - Large-scale violence and civilian casualties have decreased in South Sudan, but the risk of new conflict remains high, says Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his latest report on the country.

"I call upon the government to take the steps necessary to extend the presence of its law enforcement and security services and continue to enhance the ... protection of human rights." Mr. Ban states in the report, which was issued today.

The Secretary-General also expressed concern about rebel militia groups, especially in Jonglei State. "They should work with the government and within the laws of the country to address any grievances that they may have."

The report encourages the government to continue identifying and addressing grievances of all communities, support inter-communal reconciliation and rebuild trust in national institutions through credible political and judicial processes.

"I ... urge the international community to lend its full assistance to these efforts," Mr. Ban says.

While commending state and national legislatures for holding credible and uninhibited debate on national issues and exercising oversight, the Secretary-General calls on donors to continue supporting development of key national institutions in critical areas during the second year of independence.

He welcomes the launch of a process to develop national security policy, but states that further strides should be made in security and rule of law, especially in sizing and reforming the armed forces through disarmament, demobilization and reintegration.

Moreover, national institutions should assume greater responsibility for protecting civilians, respecting, protecting and promoting human rights and fighting impunity and corruption, Mr. Ban says.

The report also commends recent government efforts to enhance access to justice and address the problem of prolonged, illegal and arbitrary arrest and detention.

However, it notes numerous adverse factors that could create serious setbacks in the country.

"Among these is the lack of urgency ... in implementing decisions on key national issues, as demonstrated by the delays in decisive management of the economy and public sector reform and in making operational the Constitutional Review Commission, the Jonglei Investigation Committee and the National Elections Commission," the Secretary-General says.

He cites as sources of major concern the absence of long-term plans to address land and ethnic issues, the risk of a further deterioration in Jonglei State and extremely limited employment opportunities for young people.

Mr. Ban is encouraged by agreements signed in Addis Ababa on 27 September between South Sudan and Sudan, which should allow both countries to prioritize the building of two viable and stable states.

"I therefore call upon the leadership of the two countries to fully implement the agreements and to expeditiously resolve all outstanding issues," he says.

He also notes that resuming oil production and stabilizing relations with Sudan will improve prospects for building a stable economy.

But continual vigilance is needed to manage potential sticking points along the border, including strong reactions in Northern Bahr El-Ghazal to the agreement with Sudan on the "14-mile" area.

The report observes that UNMISS is hampered in swiftly moving, deploying and sustaining troops in responding to threats against civilians by the lack of military utility helicopters. Continuing operations in Jonglei State in September and October 2012 underscored the need for military helicopters as well as riverine assets

The Secretary-General expresses deep regret at the recent expulsion of a Human Rights Officer from UNMISS with no justification and in clear violation of the UN Charter as well as status-of-forces agreement signed by the United Nations and South Sudan.

"Human rights monitoring, investigation and reporting is a core element of the mission's mandate and must be protected and supported by the government," he states. "I hope that this expulsion does not signify a deterioration in the good relations that the government and the United Nations have established to date."