[near verbatim]

RJMEC Chair,
Excellencies and distinguished guests,

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

Since we last met, I note the renewed interest by the transitional government for inclusion by engaging the non-signatory groups and stakeholders under the auspices of the Tumaini Initiative in Nairobi. UNMISS has consistently called for dialogue and consensus-based decision-making, as such, this engagement is encouraging in so far as it contributes to peace.

With eight months remaining to the end of the transitional period, it is critical that the parties find a working formula that gives required attention to ensuring complementarity between the Tumaini initiative and the interparty dialogue on the way forward. This is essential to reinvigorate efforts to finalize the transition through elections according to the Revitalized Peace Agreement.

On our part, the United Nations continue to provide technical support, including assisting the National Elections Commission (NEC) with assessing state-level infrastructure and facilities, consultation with key stakeholders on the electoral process, and beginning the process of formation of State High Elections Committees.  I also welcome the progress made on the development of the electoral security plan. It is essential that the plan is linked to the broader implementation of the Transitional Security Arrangements to ensure that South Sudanese can vote in their first post-independence election in safety and security.

This week, UNMISS intensified patrols and engagement with local authorities and security services in Unity state and the Ruweng Administrative Area (RAA) after cross-border clashes over the weekend resulted in several deaths, destroyed property, and displaced civilians. The primacy of a secure environment remains central to ensuring a conducive environment for elections related political competition.

Excellencies,

The overall humanitarian and economic conditions are worrying. The worsening economic situation has negative implications for the political and security situation, considering the transition now requires financial outlays more than ever.

On the humanitarian front, an estimated 7.1 million people are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity mostly in locations affected by climate related shocks, economic crisis, and conflict, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). Meanwhile, only 18.3% of the US$1.8 billion required for the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan has been received as of 23 June.

Compounding these challenges, is the difficult environment that humanitarians frequently operate in. In May, 47 humanitarian access incidents were reported, marking a 42% increase from April. Of these, 23 incidents involved violence against humanitarian assets and personnel. We condemn attacks against humanitarian personnel and urge the government, at all levels, to protect humanitarian personnel and assets.

We continue to be concerned by reports of anticipated floods. This has implications for accessibility to communities as the country prepares for elections, and the overall security situation because of its impact on grazing, displacement of populations in low lying areas, and agriculture resources. Accordingly, on 19 June, the Humanitarian Coordinator, presented the joint Government-humanitarian community flood preparedness draft plan to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management. The draft plan targets 2.4 million people out of the 3.3 million estimated to be affected by flooding. The plan requires $269 million out of which $84 million is estimated for mitigation and preparedness activities. I encourage the Transitional Government to reinforce its disaster preparedness plans and allocate sufficient resources to mitigate the impact of the possible flooding on its citizens. 

Excellencies,

I wish to underscore that as matters stand, the Revitalized Peace Agreement remains the only route towards enduring peace in South Sudan. The United Nations, with its Trilateral partners (IGAD and AU) together with RJMEC, is committed to supporting and working with the South Sudanese parties to build the foundations of sustainable peace.

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