[Near Verbatim]

RJMEC Chair,
Excellencies and distinguished guests,

I thank the RJMEC for the opportunity to brief you today.

Allow me to begin my remarks by congratulating South Sudanese on their 13th Independence Day anniversary. I also wish to honor the country’s martyrs who bravely sacrificed their lives in the pursuit of South Sudan’s independence.

Since we last met, negotiations in Nairobi, under the auspices of the Tumaini Initiative, have progressed and agreement on several protocols has been reached. Meanwhile, in Juba, the High-Level Standing Committee on the status of implementation of the Roadmap has finalized its report. We look forward to urgent determinations by the parties on the way forward regarding the alignment of the Tumaini Initiative and the Revitalized Peace Agreement, and providing clarity on the implementation of the remaining outstanding tasks in the Roadmap.

With only five months left until elections as announced by the National Election Commission, technical and operational progress in electoral preparations and constitution-making remains minimal. UNMISS, together with AU Mission in South Sudan and IGAD, continues to stress the importance of electoral decisions being made by consensus and in accordance with the protocols outlined in the Revitalized Agreement, and jointly agreed procedures and timelines.

The recent passing of the National Security Service Bill has generated concerns about civic, political space and personal liberties. In this regard, we encourage the President to consider those concerns and provide clear directives on the way forward as soon as possible.  

Excellencies,

While we focus on the political processes, we must not lose sight of the importance of making progress across all critical benchmarks of the Revitalized Peace Agreement. As such, the completion of the transitional security arrangements is critical. I urge the relevant institutions and mechanisms to act swiftly to complete Phase One and commence Phase Two and to provide the necessary resources for the deployed unified forces to fulfil their mandate. Progressing implementation of the transitional security arrangements will give confidence and mitigate against subnational violence and a return to large-scale conflict.

Excellencies,

The country is facing a serious economic crisis that is deepening existing fragilities. With the depreciation of the SSP against the US dollar, purchasing power has eroded, making it difficult for South Sudanese to meet basic needs. The price of a representative basket of items has increased more than 100 per cent since the onset of the Sudan crisis in April 2023. Meanwhile, the 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, which appeals for $1.8 billion to assist 6 million people across South Sudan, is only 30.8 per cent funded as of 1 August, more than halfway through the year.

Compounding these challenges are forecasts of above-normal rainfall projected from July to September, which could affect up to 3.3 million people. Several states are already experiencing floods, notably Unity, Warrap, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Jonglei and Western Bahr el Ghazal, with tens of thousands currently being affected. The UN is working closely with the relevant Government actors at national and sub-national levels to conduct assessments and develop preparedness and response plans. 

Given the funding reductions, humanitarian partners have prioritized their response to 31 counties in the greater Upper Nile region, Abyei Administrative Area and other states, which have the greatest needs.

Excellencies,

As South Sudan’s national men’s basketball team, the Bright Stars, have demonstrated that with unity of purpose, so much more can be achieved in a short period of time. Allow me to use H.E. President Kiir, Martyrs Day concluding message urging hard work to achieve peace, prosperity and togetherness and to put the nation first for the sake of the future generation.

Excellencies,

Time is running out as South Sudan’s political transition is due for completion in February 2025. The cost of inaction is too great. Now is the time for the parties to urgently demonstrate leadership and political will by putting the interest of the nation and people of South Sudan first to build consensus on the way forward and provide the much-needed clarity on the implementation of the Roadmap including the electoral calendar.

The United Nations with its trilateral partners IGAD and the AU, in concert with the RJMEC, remains committed to supporting the South Sudanese parties to ultimately deliver credible elections, durable peace and prosperity for the future generation.

I thank you.
--
Contact: UNMISS Spokesperson at unmiss-spokesperson@un.org