S/2020/914 Security Council

I have the honour to enclose herewith a copy of the briefings provided by Mr. David Shearer, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan; Mr. Mark Lowcock, Under- Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator; and Ms. Nyachangkuoth Rambang Tai, Gender and Social Justice Manager, Assistance Missions for Africa, as well as the statements delivered by the representatives of Belgium, China, the Dominican Republic, Estonia, France, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (on its own behalf and on behalf of the three African members of the Security Council — the Niger, South Africa and Tunisia), the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America and Viet Nam, in connection with the video-teleconference regarding “Reports of the Secretary- General on the Sudan and South Sudan”, convened on Wednesday, 16 September 2020. In accordance with the procedure set out in the letter dated 7 May 2020 from the President of the Security Council addressed to Permanent Representatives of the members of the Security Council (S/2020/372), which was agreed in the light of the extraordinary circumstances caused by the coronavirus disease pandemic, the briefings and statements will be issued as an official document of the Security Council.

I thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to brief the Security Council today. I will start with an update on political and security conditions and then touch upon changes to the operations of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in response to the evolving situation in the country. Most critical right now is progress on the peace process. On the positive side, the transitional Government continues to function, and activities are progressing well within the clusters of ministries headed by the five Vice Presidents. The appointment of state governors has dampened tensions in the regions, with the exception of the historically volatile Upper Nile state, where a deadlock remains with the Government’s unwillingness to appoint the opposition’s preferred candidate, General Johnson Olony. State ministerial positions were recently agreed, but the appointment of county commissioners — the level below governors — has been delayed by disagreements over the number of counties. Elsewhere, however, progress has been painfully slow. Cabinet meetings occur irregularly, and South Sudanese want to see the President and Vice Presidents meeting and working collectively. There has been almost no movement on the critical area of security sector reform. Force personnel brought together for training have yet to graduate, and those remaining are abandoning the camps owing to food and other shortages. Despite the urging of the Heads of State of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development in July, the Transitional National Legislative Assembly has yet to be reconstituted, and therefore necessary new laws are not being passed and progress on the Constitution has been delayed. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has slowed the implementation of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement in South Sudan, including meeting key benchmarks, but the pandemic is not entirely to blame. We are seeing a reversion to business as usual, where progress on the peace agreement itself limps along. The continuing delays risk pushing elections out well beyond the timeline prescribed in the agreement. That will add to the growing disillusionment among communities about whether the political will exists to give South Sudanese citizens the opportunity to choose their own leaders. Our experience has been that, without significant international pressure, political will does wane. Momentum is therefore urgently needed, particularly to maintain confidence among the signatories. South Sudan is also facing other pressures. Falling oil prices, a lack of financial accountability, delays in paying civil servants and a near doubling in the street exchange rate since March is adding additional pressure on the Government and on families struggling to survive. With high rainfall and the Nile River at 60-year highs, flooding has devastated the centre of the country, with 500,000 people affected, particularly in Lakes and Jonglei states. Humanitarian workers are working incredibly hard to help people living without shelter, food, water and sanitation in the middle of the rainy season. But this humanitarian work has not come without a cost. This year, seven aid workers tragically lost their lives, and another 144 have been evacuated because of subnational violence. There has been an upturn in this conflict resulting from splintering between and within groups. The difference this year is that external political actors are fuelling these local conflicts with military advice and heavy weapons. From January to July, UNMISS documented 575 incidents of subnational conflict — an increase of 300 per cent in comparison to the same period last year. In Jonglei alone, 600 people were killed in six months, women and children were kidnapped and thousands fled their homes as they were looted and torched. The Nuer, Murle and Dinka communities were all victims. But all three groups are also guilty of carrying out crimes against others. While the situation has now been calmed, tensions remain high, and every effort must be made to stop a resurgence. The Government has appointed a high-level committee on Jonglei. Last week, UNMISS also organized a meeting with senior leaders to chart a way forward. We were encouraged by the leaders’ willingness to engage with all participants, showing that they understand the cost of going back to war. UNMISS will provide political and logistical support for peacebuilding in Jonglei, including peacekeepers to monitor buffer zones, increasing police capacity and helping with infrastructure development. In Central Equatoria, the National Salvation Front has launched a series of politically motivated attacks. Despite claims that its actions are defensive, civilians and humanitarians are among the casualties of their ambushes. The heavy-handed response of Government security forces has also taken its toll. All parties are signatories to the ceasefire. They should respect this commitment, stop fighting and pull back. In response to local appeals for help, UNMISS deployed peacekeepers to the area, but our troops were blocked by Government forces, despite earlier agreements for the deployment. In the past three weeks, the usual mechanisms through which UNMISS coordinates its movement have seriously deteriorated. COVID-19 can be partly blamed, but the influence of hardliners in the security forces is the principal obstacle. We continue to work cooperatively with the security forces, but we are impressing on the Government that their restrictions on our ability to carry out our mandate are unacceptable. To avoid future confrontation, it is critical that this issue be resolved. The political violence of the past has largely subsided despite delays to the peace agreement. The ceasefire holds, and the unified transitional Government is up and running. UNMISS is looking at this evolving situation and examining how it can better support peace and protect civilians. One area of change springs from last year’s report to the Council on the future of protection of civilians sites (S/2019/741). As the report noted, external threats that led to the establishment of protection of civilians sites no longer exist today. For example, the protection of civilians site in Juba has become more of an outer suburb of the town. Residents move back and forth daily to attend schools and university, to shop and go to work. Therefore, in consultation with the Government, non-governmental organizations, donors and internally displaced persons themselves, we have gradually withdrawn troops and police from static duties at the protection of civilians sites in Bor and Wau. That is also likely to occur at the remaining three sites. The spike in subnational violence is occurring in remote areas, not near protection of civilians sites. We therefore have to deploy our forces to provide protection where there is the greatest need. For example, freeing up troops from the protection of civilian sites in Wau and Bor has allowed us to redeploy our forces to hotspots such as Tonj and Jonglei, where people are in immediate danger. Following the gradual withdrawal of peacekeepers, the protection of civilian sites will be redesignated and sovereign control will be with the South Sudanese Government, not the United Nations. Let me be clear. No one will be pushed out or asked to leave when that transition occurs. Humanitarian services will continue. The South Sudanese police will be responsible for law and order. The United Nations police work closely with them to build capacity and, in some areas, are co-locating with them. Responsibility must lie with the Government to help its citizens to return home or find other land to settle. The Government also holds the primary responsibility for protecting the country’s citizens and respecting the rights of the displaced. UNMISS, of course, maintains its clear mandate to protect civilians and will intervene if necessary. With our need to respond to isolated outbreaks of fighting across the country, our forces need to be robust, nimble and proactive. To do that, we are looking at innovative ways of deploying our troops to overcome the challenging environment, such as riverine patrols, rapid air transport and all-terrain vehicles. That does not mean more resources. In fact, without tying down large numbers of peacekeepers at protection of civilian sites, we can be more effective, with less. It is about working smarter with the right mix of troops and the right logistics. The foundations for change are under way, including reconfiguring our military, police and civilian components. That is why we welcome the independent strategic review of UNMISS requested by the Security Council. It is an opportunity for us to review our mandate and implement better ways to meet the future demands of South Sudan more effectively and efficiently. No matter where they live, no matter who they are, all South Sudanese hope for peace and prosperity. Our job is to do everything we can to make that dream a reality.

Let me complement David Shearer’s briefing today by focusing on three main areas: first, the humanitarian situation and the outlook in the coming months; secondly, the protection of civilians and aid workers; and, thirdly, the support that humanitarian agencies need to ensure their work can continue. Despite some encouraging developments since the signing of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan in September 2018 and the formation of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity this year, humanitarian needs, already high after years of conflict, are again now rising due to more violence, flooding and the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which is bringing a host of health and wider consequences, including increasing food insecurity. Nearly 6.5 million people — more than half the population — faced severe food insecurity at the height of the annual hunger season a few months ago. COVID-19 has made this worse. Another 1.6 million vulnerable people, mainly in urban settings, have been pushed to the brink. Overall this year, 7.5 million people now need humanitarian assistance, which is close to the levels in 2017, when we warned of famine. One million three hundred thousand children under the age of five are forecast to be malnourished. That is the highest in four years. To put it another way, about 10 per cent of the entire population of South Sudan will be malnourished children who have not yet reached their fifth birthday. The risk of famine is emerging again in areas suffering localized violence. Famine-like conditions — Integrated Food Security Phase Classification phase 5 at the household level, in the jargon — are reported in Jonglei and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area. The violence in those areas has destroyed livelihoods, forced people to flee their homes and driven down food production. A 19-year-old woman from Pibor recently told United Nations staff: “We have been living a miserable life. This all started in February, and we did not expect this situation to last for so long. I ran into the bush with my three- month-old daughter. She was sick and died in July. Today is the first time that I have had access to a health-care facility since February.” South Sudan’s economy is contracting, affected by lower global oil prices and the wider global recession. The Government has little money to respond to the health and socioeconomic impacts of the pandemic. The price of basic commodities has increased sharply. For example, the price of maize flour, which many people rely on, increased by 50 per cent between March and July. COVID-19 is also adding to the pressure on an already fragile health system. Years of conflict have devastated basic services, including the health-care system. South Sudan has one of the highest under-five mortality rates in the world. Approximately 75 per cent of all child deaths in South Sudan are due to preventable diseases, such as diarrhoea, malaria and pneumonia, with malnourished children succumbing where the better fed would not. The Council of Ministers has decided that schools, closed since March, can reopen, but 2.2 million children were already out of school before COVID-19. Two consecutive years of severe flooding have exacerbated food insecurity, malnutrition and displacement. Last year, nearly 1 million people were affected. The floods started earlier this year, and more than 500,000 people have so far been affected. We fear the worst is yet to come, with the peak of the flooding season normally in November and December. Humanitarian access has been challenging in South Sudan for years, but the pandemic, along with increased violence in some areas, has magnified pre-existing access challenges. The capacity of humanitarian agencies to reach people who need aid is now limited in some areas. The authorities imposed a range of restrictions early in the pandemic, including on humanitarian agencies. They are being addressed through ongoing negotiations, and domestic travel restrictions for humanitarian workers have recently been lifted. However, other challenges continue to limit on-the-ground presence in some conflict-affected areas, such as Jonglei. Humanitarian agencies are looking at how to set up small humanitarian hubs in remote areas to enable aid workers to deploy more rapidly. Stocks are also being pre-positioned ahead of the rainy season, when transport access will deteriorate, and larger distributions of rations are taking place. I am also concerned about the safety of civilians and aid workers. This year’s violence has resulted in hundreds of people killed, another 157,000 displaced and the abduction of large numbers of women and children. Although the peace agreement in 2018 has allowed an expansion in humanitarian coverage and enabled some 1.1 million displaced people to return, about 1.6 million remain internally displaced. In order to address that, what is needed is sustainable peace, land allocation and the presence of basic services in areas of return or where people choose to settle, including in urban areas. An additional 2.2 million South Sudanese are still refugees in neighbouring countries, mainly in Ethiopia, the Sudan and Uganda, where the generosity of host communities is being stretched and tested due to limited funding for the refugee response. The violence continues to take its toll on women and girls, who face extreme levels of sexual and gender-based violence. Most incidents between May and July this year occurred during waves of local violence, with survivors unable to access timely medical or psychosocial assistance. South Sudan also remains one of the most dangerous places in the world for humanitarian workers. At least 122 aid workers have been killed since 2013. While we saw an improvement in the operational environment in 2019, it is now deteriorating again as a result of increased violence. This year, seven aid workers have been killed. Another 144 have had to be evacuated and relocated as a result of threats to their security. Aid supplies have been looted on at least 17 occasions, and a number of health centres have been forced to suspend activities, interrupting life-saving services. Notwithstanding an extremely challenging operating environment, the humanitarian response in South Sudan is keeping millions of people from sliding into famine. Despite COVID-19, humanitarian workers continue to deliver aid and help save lives. Aid agencies have assisted more than 5 million people across South Sudan in 2020. But continued funding is needed to sustain health services and other life- saving programmes. As a result of the fighting, flooding and COVID-19, funding needs continue to grow. The South Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan is now larger than ever, at $1.9 billion, funded to the tune of approximately one-third to date. Let me conclude by seeking the Security Council’s support in three areas. First, the Council should continue its backing for efforts to find political solutions to end the violence. South Sudan needs a stable political and security environment to recover from the impacts of prolonged conflict. Humanitarian need will persist as long as conflict and underdevelopment persist. Secondly, the Council should use its influence to ensure that humanitarian relief operations are facilitated and aid workers are protected. Thirdly, I call on the Council to provide additional resources for the Humanitarian Response Plan.

My name is Nyachangkuoth Rambang Tai. It is an honour for me to sit before the Security Council today as a feminist and a peace activist. I work for Assistance Mission for Africa, a faith-based organization that promotes peace, transitional justice, gender equality and sustainable livelihoods. Like many South Sudanese, my parents were displaced during the war with the Sudan. We returned home when South Sudan gained independence in 2011, unaware that two years later violent conflict would begin again. In between the bullets and destruction, I got married and had two children. I do not want my children to face the same insecurity that I, and my parents before me, have faced. For more than three generations now, we have been denied real peace. I thank the Security Council for supporting the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. On this second anniversary of the Agreement, my remarks will focus on addressing the ongoing intercommunal conflicts and ensuring that women meaningfully participate in governance and peacebuilding. Unfortunately, both intercommunal conflict and fighting among political actors have increased, especially over the past six months in Jonglei, Lakes, Unity, Western Bahr el-Ghazal, Central Equatoria and Warrap states, as well as the Greater Pibor Administrative Area — that is, most of the country. Such an increase in fighting has taken place despite the call for a ceasefire by the Secretary-General and the subsequent adoption of resolution 2532 (2020) by the Security Council. Meanwhile, flooding, locusts and the coronavirus disease pandemic have already strained resources and humanitarian access. Hundreds of people have been killed and women and girls are increasingly targeted for sexual violence. The political violence has resulted in widespread poverty, hunger and the loss of livelihoods. That, combined with the availability of weapons among civilians, has contributed to the increase in intercommunal conflict. Communities now see the opportunity for cattle raiding to afford the bride price, feed their families and gain status in society. Years of conflict have also reinforced tribalism, which inspires people to kill easily. The absence of accountability leaves communities to take justice into their own hands and contributes to revenge attacks in cycles of violence. Local human rights and peace organizations, including particularly women’s groups, play a vital role in preventing and managing intercommunal conflict. Over the past seven years, my organization has overseen a range of peace initiatives to resolve conflicts between neighbouring communities in Lakes and Unity states. We have facilitated multiple peace conferences, resulting in a network of local peace committees that monitor potential violence and serve as mediators. Through my experiences engaging with communities in conflict, I have seen that empowered communities can build peace from the bottom up. Too often, people say that the South Sudanese do not have the capacity to deliver change, but my fellow citizens and I know the potential of national organizations to end conflict. As my sister, Angelina Nyajima, shared in her briefing to the Council in March 2019, “[w]e understand the complexities of what troubles our communities ... because we live there” (S/PV.8480, p. 6). I request the Member States and the United Nations agencies represented here today to urgently provide more funding to local organizations, particularly women- led civil society, to continue important local peacebuilding initiatives. That funding should be long-term and flexible to enable us to respond to the changing dynamics and sustain any progress. Another way to help address the cycle of violence is to ensure that transitional justice is made a priority. We cannot expect citizens whose loved ones have been killed to forgive and move on without healing and accountability. That is unrealistic and will only encourage conflict. Instead, we need the three transitional justice mechanisms provided for in chapter V of the Revitalized Agreement, especially the Hybrid Court for South Sudan. I echo my sisters who have briefed the Council in the past in urging it to work closely with the Government, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development to fully implement all peace agreement provisions, particularly those related to transitional justice. Given the ongoing conflict and lack of justice, I would like to emphasize the important role of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in ensuring strong protection for civilians. The withdrawal from protection of civilian sites feels at odds with the UNMISS mandate. In Bor, the withdrawal took place without proper notice or preparation, leaving families feeling vulnerable to attack. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Wau, Bentiu and Juba protection of civilian sites fear that they too will be abandoned and wonder how their safety will be guaranteed. Simon, an IDP in Juba, stressed that the consequences of withdrawing the protection of peacekeepers will be dire. It would be better, he said, for the United Nations to first consider safe returns. For residents in the protection of civilian sites, the threat of violence is still real. Let me remind Council members that weapons are widely available and intercommunal attacks continue. The implementation of the peace agreement is slow. The Parliament is not yet in place, and the security arrangements are yet to be completed. I urge the Council to hold UNMISS accountable for its mandate to protect civilians. UNMISS should consult with the communities in the protection of civilian sites, inform them of specific timelines and alternative arrangements for their security and partner with local organizations to ensure that any return, relocation or integration efforts are safe, dignified and voluntary. Before I conclude, I want to emphasize that gender equality and an end to sexual violence must be realized for sustainable peace in South Sudan. Women are raising their voices to achieve that. Recently, on social media under the hashtag #SouthSudanesesurvivor, many young women and girls shared their experiences of gender-based violence. For too long, survivors have been silenced, with perpetrators able to target women and girls with a sense of impunity. I applaud their courage in drawing attention to such violations. Women are also campaigning for their full, equal and meaningful participation in all levels of decision-making in South Sudan. I, along with other women leaders, am challenging gender norms to collectively convince all South Sudanese that women are born to lead. Unfortunately, parties to the peace agreement continue to deny women the space and platform that they deserve. The Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity should be 35 per cent women. Yet today only 26 per cent of Ministers, 10 per cent of Deputy Ministers and one out of 10 governors are women. This is unacceptable and a violation of the Revitalized Agreement. We want a South Sudan where women’s and girls’ opinions and concerns are valued, and where their right to participate in governance is respected. I urge the Council to continue to demand the 35 per cent quota for women’s participation in all South Sudan’s Government institutions be met. Finally, I want to thank the 10 brave South Sudanese sisters who came before me to brief the Security Council over the past six years. Unfortunately, many of their recommendations remain unaddressed, so, in closing, I also urge the Council to revisit their statements and ensure implementation on the ground.

Let me start by thanking Special Representative of the Secretary-General Shearer, Under-Secretary-General Lowcock and Ms. Tai for their insightful briefings. I will address three issues: first, the deteriorating security situation; secondly, the problem of impunity and the need for transitional justice; and, thirdly, the protection of civilians sites. At our last meeting in June, Special Representative of the Secretary-General Shearer expressed alarm about the overall increase in violence. He added that the violence could “no longer be pigeonholed as intercommunal” (S/2020/582, p. 3). As we just heard from the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, this trend has clearly continued in large parts of the country. Belgium is deeply concerned about this violence, and we are alarmed by the political and ethnic dimensions it has taken on. We urge the Government to step up its efforts for dialogue and we ask the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to support initiatives that could lower the tensions. We encourage the Mission to continue protecting civilians, including through the establishment of temporary operating bases. All too often, we receive reports about unspeakable human rights violations, widespread sexual violence, grave violations against children and other atrocities in South Sudan. Our first, collective concern should be to create the conditions to prevent such crimes. Yet the persistent failure to address violations and abuses — past and ongoing — and a profound lack of political will to hold individuals and groups accountable, perpetuate the violence. Some positive steps have been taken. Most recently, there were convictions by the district court martial in Yei of a number of soldiers, including on rape charges. This is commendable. Still, the lack of accountability often remains, quite frankly, shocking. The Secretary-General’s report (S/2020/890) illustrates this in a particularly painful way. In June, senior military commanders of the South Sudanese army were promoted, despite having been identified by UNMISS as involved in serious human rights violations. Two of them are even on the United Nations sanctions list. In July, at least two individuals allegedly involved in serious human rights violations, including sexual slavery, were appointed to state governorship positions. With regard to sexual violence, we have not forgotten Special Representative Patten’s words of last July (S/2020/727): “We must keep these crimes and their perpetrators in the spotlight of international scrutiny. As the well-known legal maxim reminds us, justice must be done, and be seen to be done. Survivors must be seen by their societies as the holders of rights that will, ultimately, be respected and enforced.” (S/2020/727, p. 4) In South Sudan, as in other places, transitional justice is indispensable to achieve sustainable peace, national reconciliation and healing, and the rule of law. an entire chapter of the 2018 peace agreement is dedicated to transitional justice. It needs urgent implementation, including through the establishment of the African Union Hybrid Court for South Sudan. We urge the Government to finally make justice a priority. As a final point, Belgium takes note of the announcement by UNMISS of the gradual redesignation of the protection of civilians sites in Wau and Bor. It is imperative that any return or relocation of internally displaced persons happen on a safe, voluntary and dignified basis. The protection of civilians remains at the core of the UNMISS mandate, so mitigating measures should be put in place. Pending meaningful progress on security sector reform, there is reason to act very prudently when handing over United Nations control of the protection of civilian sites to sovereign actors. In all scenarios, close coordination between UNMISS and all relevant actors, including humanitarian organizations, will remain crucial. This is even more important in light of the increasing humanitarian risks signalled in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs white note of 4 September. It is clear now that the positive developments of the start of this year have not lead to a sustainable improvement of the situation in South Sudan. It is high time for all parties to return to the spirit of compromise and to reaffirm their commitment to the peace agreement. The people of South Sudan deserve peace and stability.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Shearer and Deputy Secretary-General Lowcock for their briefings. China is closely following the development of the situation in South Sudan. Due to the impact of the coronavirus disease pandemic and falling global crude oil prices, the economic and humanitarian situation in South Sudan has deteriorated and the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan faces many challenges. I would like to take this opportunity to emphasize the following points. First, China welcomes the positive progress made by South Sudan on issues such as the appointment of governors. We encourage all parties in South Sudan to bear in mind the overall interests of national unity and development, continue to advance dialogue and consultation, and take steps to solve outstanding issues of the Revitalized Agreement. The international community should fully respect the ownership of the South Sudan Government, strengthen coordination with the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and support them in continuing their mediation efforts. Secondly, peace in South Sudan has not come easily. The ceasefire stipulated in the Revitalized Agreement has generally held of late. China hopes that all parties will work together to sustain this positive momentum. The Secretary-General’s report (S/2020/890) also notes that there are still sporadic intercommunal conflicts that may undermine the progress of the current ceasefire. This deserves great attention on the part of all parties in South Sudan. We call on all parties in South Sudan to respond to the Secretary-General’s call for a humanitarian pause and jointly maintain a peaceful and stable environment. Thirdly, South Sudan’s economic foundation and health system are weak, economic development and food security are under pressure, and the county is currently facing practical difficulties caused by the pandemic. The international community should actively provide assistance to South Sudan, especially targeted assistance in the economic and health sectors, scale up investment in agriculture, energy, infrastructure and health care, and help South Sudan implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. China has recently helped build a cervical disease screening centre in South Sudan and sent a team of medical experts to South Sudan to assist in the fight against the pandemic. These moves have been welcomed by all sectors in South Sudan. Fourthly, China appreciates the contributions of Special Representative Shearer and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to peace and stability in South Sudan. It is crucial to improve the safety and security of UNMISS peacekeepers. We appreciate the corresponding measures taken by the Secretariat and the Mission to that end. China notes that UNMISS has done a lot of work to protect civilians. It must be pointed out that the fundamental solution for protecting civilians will ultimately depend on progress in the political process and economic reconstruction. Only in this way can we create a peaceful and stable environment that will allow the displaced to return home and generate employment opportunities for the people. China has noted the restrictions faced by UNMISS in delivering its mandate. We hope to see strengthened communication between the South Sudanese Government and UNMISS, and believe that the relevant issues can be properly resolved. China will continue to support South Sudan’s political process and contribute to its fight against the pandemic and its efforts towards economic development. We are ready to work with the international community to promote the early realization of peace, stability and sustainable development in South Sudan.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Shearer, Mr. Lowcock and Ms. Rambang Tai for their briefings. South Sudan is looking towards a better future, the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan constitutes an important first step. In this regard, we welcome that President Kiir and Vice-President Machar reached an agreement on the sharing of gubernatorial and state positions, ending the impasse on state allocations. However, these political arrangements are indivisible from the security issues. Although the ceasefire has mainly held, the increased intercommunal violence continues to have devastating consequences on communities and pose a threat to peace. In this regard, it is highly concerning that women and children continue to be disproportionately affected by the indirect effects of conflict, particularly in cases of sexual violence reported in the context of intercommunal violence. We therefore urge the parties to work harder to ensure that the guns are silenced and to ensure accountability for cases of sexual violence, including compliance with the provisions prohibiting sexual violence by all parties. We urge the Government to establish a specialized court for crimes of sexual and gender-based and to advance the work of the hybrid and mobile courts. We welcome the initiative of President Kiir to address this spike in violence by launching a dialogue with communities affected and appointing a high-level committee to investigate such incidents and engaging community stakeholders to contain them. On another positive note, we are encouraged by recent court decisions sentencing members of the security forces to terms of imprisonment for serious crimes, including sexual violence. The cycle of intercommunal violence, combined with the threat of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and the seasonal floods, has further exacerbated humanitarian needs in South Sudan. According to reports, hunger affected over 6 million people and millions of people are experiencing acute food insecurity. With regard to the COVID-19 response, we are concerned that health facilities are already overwhelmed by common cases such as malaria. In this sense, we appreciate the critical role played by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and regional partners supporting the challenges that South Sudan faces during this pandemic. We also call for respect to the right to health of all people and access to medical treatment to those affected. With regard to humanitarian efforts, we strongly condemn the attack and killing of a humanitarian worker in a marked ambulance, as well as the killing of two aid workers in Pajut town. We urge the parties to the conflict to end such violence and remove access restrictions placed on UNMISS and humanitarian partners. Although the Revitalized Agreement requires 35 per cent participation of women in all institutions of governance, only one woman has been appointed as a governor. On this issue, the Dominican Republic adds its voice to that of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of South Sudan, Beatrice Khamisa Wani-Noah, in urging women to participate more in every area of governance, and urging the parties to comply with the gender quota. Likewise, during the open debate held in April under the presidency of the Dominican Republic on accelerating implementation of the youth, peace and security agenda (S/2020/346), the Security Council had the privilege to hear from to Gatwal, a young South Sudanese peacebuilder, who continues to contribute to a peaceful future in the country. As Gatwal reminded the Council, young people in South Sudan shaped the peace process through their participation in the High-level Revitalization Forum, increasing youth participation in broader governance structures, the naming of a first Minister of Youth Affairs and the creation of a youth-led civil society coalition. However, despite those achievements, young South Sudanese people continue to face structural barriers to political, social and economic processes and already-restricted civic spaces for youth participation are shrinking even more amid COVID-19. In this regard, we echo Gatwal’s remarks and call on the Government to ensure the full, equal and meaningful participation of young people in decision-making at all levels, including political processes and democratic practices. After two years, we must insist on the full implementation of the Revitalized Agreement. People want to live in peace and the leaders are the ones that must strive for it.

I thank Mr. David Shearer, Mr. Mark Lowcock and Ms. Rambang Tai for their briefing. Two years ago, we witnessed the signing of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. Unfortunately, we are still far from a satisfactory situation. Despite the formation of a Transitional Government in February, the full implementation of military unification and Government institutions is totally behind schedule. In June, we welcomed the compromise reached by President Kiir and First Vice-President Machar on the allocation of states. We were hoping for a new momentum, which would help resolve the slow movement on transitional security arrangements and ideally bring the country closer to fully implementing the peace agreement. That, sadly, has not materialized. We urge President Kiir and First Vice-President Machar to come to an agreement on the governor of Upper Nile and finally move on to other pressing issues. We remain very concerned about the increase in intercommunal violence, which has increased significantly compared to the same period last year. The ceasefire between the parties to the agreement continues to hold, which is the biggest positive for us, but if the ongoing subnational violence continues, things might take a turn for the worse, possibly, given the additional pandemic and floods, leading to a humanitarian catastrophe. It saddens us to see that high-ranking politicians and military commanders are also fuelling this violence. The current situation gives us a timely reminder about the necessity of the sanctions and the territorial arms embargo. We truly hope that the South Sudanese authorities continue to prosecute and sentence members of the security forces to terms of imprisonment for serious crimes, including sexual violence. It is unacceptable that individuals who have committed grave human rights violations to be appointed to political office without any form of accountability. Attacks against the civilian population cannot be rewarded with various official positions. Impunity must stop. The overall humanitarian situation in the country remains dire, and has worsened due to the pandemic. During the rainy season, the humanitarian situation becomes more problematic, which is why the Government of South Sudan must do everything in its power to help the citizens. This requires keeping the humanitarian assistance and protection flowing, which, during the floods, is a question of life or death. The pandemic should not be used as a pretext to curb the implementation of the mandate of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) or to slow down the implementation of the peace agreement. It is equally sad to see that violations of the Status of Forces Agreement continue. While supportive of the Mission’s efforts to adjust its force posture by redesignating protection of civilians sites, we emphasize the need to ensure the safe and a voluntary return and relocation of displaced persons currently in a protection of civilian sites. Last, but not least, I want to thank UNMISS personnel and Mr. David Shearer for all their work in a very testing environment.

I, too, would like to thank the Special Representative, Mr. David Shearer; Mr. Mark Lowcock; and Ms. Nyachangkuoth Rambang Tai for their insightful briefings. I would like to emphasize three points in particular: the indispensable furtherance of an inclusive peace process, the continual increase in intercommunal violence and the response that must imperatively be given to humanitarian needs in South Sudan. France calls on the Transitional Government to continue its efforts decisively to implement the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. The agreement on the allocation of gubernatorial and state positions of 17 June and the appointment of almost all of them are important steps forward. Those steps must be followed by the appointment of the governor of the Upper Nile and by the constitution of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly. France recalls that the full participation of women and youth must, in this regard, be effective and significant. Concrete progress must be made as well on the other chapters of the transition, particularly on the reform of the security sector and the fight against impunity, through the establishment of a hybrid court, but also on full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all citizens. Without justice and good governance, there can be no lasting peace. Furthermore, the continued fighting between signatory and non-signatory groups to the peace agreement, in violation of their commitment to respect the ceasefire, represents a grave threat to the peace process. Secondly, the increase in intercommunal violence, particularly in Jonglei, is an issue of major concern. The vicious circle of violence and impunity fuels human rights violations, in particular those targeting women and children. The increase in sexual and gender-based violence is unacceptable and must be met with a firm legislative and judiciary response. We welcome the adoption last February of the action plan on children affected by armed conflict and call for its full implementation. France calls furthermore on the authorities of South Sudan to observe a moratorium on the application of the death penalty with a view to its definitive abolition. In the context of the coronavirus disease pandemic, France underlines the necessity for all actors in South Sudan to fully implement the ceasefire demanded by the Council in its resolution 2532 (2020). In that context, the efforts of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) remain vital to ensure the protection of civilians located not only in protection sites but also outside of them. I would recall that UNMISS must be able to move freely in order to be able to implement its mandate. The full respect of the Status of Forces Agreement provisions must, in this regard, be ensured. As Mr. Lowcock recalled, the humanitarian situation in South Sudan remains dramatic and is only worsening. More than 1.6 million people have been forced to flee within their own country, and nearly 2.2 million have taken refuge in neighbouring countries. Hunger affects 6 million people in South Sudan. It is therefore urgent that all parties facilitate, in accordance with international humanitarian law, the swift, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance. Moreover, the murders of humanitarian workers in Jonglei, Central Equatoria and Lakes are intolerable and must be investigated in order to fight relentlessly against impunity for such acts. I commend the responsiveness of UNMISS, which announced the establishment of temporary bases in the county of Lobonok in response to renewed armed attacks against civilians and humanitarian convoys. The protection of civilians, including humanitarian and medical personnel, must be an absolute priority. Finally, I would like to recall the full support of France for all UNMISS personnel as well as for the humanitarian and medical actors present in South Sudan. Their courage and determination contribute, day after day, to peace.

At the outset, permit me, on behalf of the Niger, South Africa, Tunisia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (A3+1), to thank Mr. David Shearer, Special Representative of the Secretary-General; Mr. Mark Lowcock, Under- Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs; and Ms. Nyachangkuoth Rambang Tai, Gender and Social Justice Manager, Assistance Mission for Africa, for their detailed presentations. As a sovereign nation in its nascent stage, South Sudan continues to navigate turbulent waters in its quest for a prosperous future. Today South Sudan is faced with a plethora of complex challenges, both internally and externally, as are evident in the Secretary-General’s recent report (S/2020/890). The A3+1 welcomes the positive developments in South Sudan, in particular the formation of the executive arm of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity. We are steadfast in our view that the full implementation of the provisions of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, especially key elements such as the filling of the position of governor in the Upper Nile and adherence to the 35 per cent quota participation of women in all Government institutions is imperative to establish a peaceful environment and improve the protection of civilians. We further echo the appeal made by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) for the dissolution of the current Transitional National Legislative Assembly and for the parties to reconstitute the Assembly in accordance with the Revitalized Agreement. The maintenance of the ceasefire is also crucial to advancing the dialogue processes, specifically with the non-signatories to the Revitalized Agreement. To that end, we call on all parties to continue respecting the ceasefire. We welcome the overall decrease in political violence and appreciate President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s determination to tackle lingering security issues, specifically the escalation of intercommunal violence in Jonglei, Lakes, Warrap, Unity and Western Bahr el-Ghazal. We also applaud the decision for the disarmament of civilians and the formation of a national task force to address enduring intercommunal challenges and pastoralist conflict, as well as the establishment of an investigation committee on atrocities committed against civilians. In addition, we urge the authorities to redouble their efforts and strengthen the State’s security apparatus to ensure the safety of its citizens. South Sudan continues to demonstrate political growth as a maturing democracy, not only domestically but regionally and internationally. The admirable approach to convening successful peace talks in Juba are a testament to this truth. At the same time, South Sudan continues to face a dire humanitarian situation that has been exacerbated by the coronavirus disease pandemic. This, together with the economic challenges stemming from plummeting oil prices in the global market and acute food insecurity whereby an estimated 6 million people are food-insecure, remain extremely worrying. We acknowledge the support of the international community to complement the Government’s humanitarian response efforts, but much, much more needs to be done. We therefore encourage the international community to assist in filling the deficit and achieve the $1.9 billion required for South Sudan’s Humanitarian Response Plan for 2020. Similarly, we call on South Sudan leaders to assist in facilitating humanitarian access and urge the authorities to protect humanitarian personnel in the exercise of their duties. We strongly condemn the killing of two humanitarian aid workers and urge thorough investigation into those acts of violence. Equally, we are worried about the ongoing violence against the groups made most vulnerable and stress the need to respect international humanitarian law and human rights law. Beyond the headlines of South Sudan’s humanitarian challenges, the tale of climate change also needs considerable attention and action, as its deleterious effects are underscored by severe weather events including seasonal floods, causing loss of lives and livelihoods. Changes in weather patterns also create a fertile breeding ground for desert locusts, which have infiltrated Eastern Equatoria, threatening the livelihoods of many who depend on subsistence farming. In closing, the A3+1 remains in solidarity with the people and the Government of South Sudan. We take this opportunity to reiterate our appreciation and support for the constructive efforts of UNMISS, IGAD, the African Union, the European Union, the Community of Sant’ Egidio and all other relevant stakeholders in seeking to bringing peace and stability to South Sudan.

I would like to thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Shearer and Under-Secretary-General Lowcock for their briefings, and I am particularly grateful to Ms. Tai for bringing her story and her pragmatic and clear vision to the Council. Between them, they illustrated the dire and deteriorating humanitarian situation faced by millions of South Sudanese and the urgent need for the full implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. I also want to convey the United Kingdom’s gratitude for the work of the humanitarian community in South Sudan. We have heard today how challenging the humanitarian environment is; with seven aid workers killed this year alone, it is a sad fact that South Sudan remains one of the most dangerous places in the world to be an aid worker. But we know that without them, countless more lives would have been lost. I should like to touch on three issues. The first is the implementation of the peace agreement. Two years ago the Council welcomed the leadership shown by all sides in signing the peace agreement. Despite significant delays, we also welcomed in February the leadership by the parties in forming the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity. Since then, we have seen some positive steps taken to build state-level institutions. However, the people of South Sudan need to see the dividends of peace. We have heard this a lot from colleagues today. Implementation of the peace agreement must now be accelerated, and we stand ready to support further progress. But ongoing violence is the key driver of humanitarian need in South Sudan. We are deeply concerned by the increased violence that has led to so many civilian deaths in recent months. We call on the Government in Juba and all those involved to make concerted efforts to stop the killing and address the root causes of conflict through effective governance and dialogue at the national and local levels. This includes addressing outstanding issues under the peace agreement, notably the appointment of a governor in Upper Nile state. We also call on non-signatories to engage in the Rome process and for all sides to respect the cessation of hostilities. With thousands of South Sudanese lives at risk, compromise and collaboration is needed now more urgently than ever. Secondly, on the humanitarian situation, the stalled peace process and increasing subnational violence have exacerbated the stark deterioration of the humanitarian situation. As we have heard today, the situation is desperate: 7.5 people million in humanitarian need, economic deterioration and a growing risk of famine. That has been amplified by the impact of the coronavirus disease pandemic, by desert locusts and by flooding. Already, more than half the population faces acute food insecurity, and some areas now face the very real prospect of famine-like conditions. This must be addressed without delay. I was impressed by Under-Secretary-General Lowcock’s innovative approach to dealing with those challenges. But the bottom line is clear: they need more resources. The other impediment is the limits of humanitarian access that hurt those who need it most. Again, it was good to hear that the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is innovating to deal with challenges and provision, but it is also vital that South Sudan’s Government ensure that humanitarian workers can access communities in need and that the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) can carry out its mandate unhindered. Finally, on the protection of civilians, it was incredibly worrying to hear about the spike in violence, particularly the presence of actors from outside South Sudan exacerbating the problem. Ultimately, the primary responsibility for protecting South Sudan’s citizens rests with the Government of South Sudan, including with respect to those currently living in United Nations protection-of-civilians sites. The Mission’s plan to re-designate protection-of-civilians sites should be implemented through close consultation with the communities affected and with humanitarian actors in a transparent process that prioritizes safety and security. Again, we were encouraged to hear Special Representative of the Secretary-General Shearer talk about how the Mission can adapt to its operating environment and find new ways to deliver on its mandate. As others have said, it is also critical that South Sudan cooperate with rather than inhibit UNMISS and ensure that the Mission can deliver on its protection- of-civilians mandate. I join Christoph and others in saying that we hope that the representative of South Sudan can join us in December to give us the Government’s perspective on these issues and also to hear directly the Council’s concerns and the briefings. The South Sudanese people deserve lasting peace and stability. We call on all parties to redouble their efforts to realize that aim in the spirit of cooperation envisaged in the 2018 peace agreement.

I thank Special Representative Shearer for his dedication to South Sudan and for his informative briefing today. I also thank Under-Secretary Lowcock for updating us on the dire humanitarian situation in the country. The United States commends Ms. Tai’s dedication to building peace in South Sudan. We echo her call for the full, effective and meaningful participation of women in all spheres and at all levels of political leadership and in the peace process, and we thank her so much for her briefing today. We really hope to hear more from her in the days and years to come. September 12 marked the two-year anniversary of the signing of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. South Sudan’s leaders have taken courageous steps to form the Government of National Unity and to begin establishing provincial and local institutions. The process of building a unified military has started. Negotiations with non-signatory armed groups yielded a renewed cessation of hostilities agreement, albeit one that remains imperfectly implemented. The United States fully recognizes the efforts — domestic, regional and international — that support achieving those benchmarks. We applaud the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and other regional partners that continue to play a key role in achieving progress. We also recognize and welcome South Sudan’s role in brokering peace agreements for the Sudan. Now, however, is the time for South Sudan’s leadership to redouble efforts to accelerate the implementation of their own peace agreement and to deliver stability and security for the Sudanese people. South Sudan’s people have yet to see tangible benefits from the political commitments made by their leaders. That will continue to be the case until South Sudan’s leaders fully embrace the letter and spirit of their own peace agreement. When Ambassador Craft met with women in Malakal last year, she asked them when they would believe that peace had finally come to South Sudan. Those women told her they would believe when they were able to visit the market and collect firewood without fear of violence. They would believe when they could provide enough food for their family so that their children could go to school and not be hungry. They would truly believe when they saw former soldiers from the various warring parties walking side by side and working together to protect the people. Unfortunately, we remain far from that point when the people of South Sudan can believe that peace has come to the country. Violence in South Sudan remains widespread and has increased from last year. More than 1,000 civilians have been killed this year. Sexual and gender-based violence is committed with impunity, and the abduction of women and children continues unabated. As Under-Secretary-General Lowcock explained in his briefing (annex II), the humanitarian situation in South Sudan remains among the most dire in the world and is directly linked to ongoing conflict and violence in the country. Hunger affects an estimated 6 million people in South Sudan. Over 157,000 persons have been displaced since February. Nine humanitarian aid workers have been killed this year. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic creates additional fiscal and humanitarian needs, exacerbating challenges for those seeking to govern effectively in South Sudan. But through these challenging times, the United States continues to stand with the people of South Sudan. Our Special Envoy just returned from Juba, where he urged President Kiir and South Sudan’s Vice Presidents to undertake immediate reforms and make meaningful investments in the peace agreement. All three Troika Special Envoys were in Juba together for the first time since 2017, delivering joint, face-to-face messages to leaders, humanitarian workers and civil society. The United States remains the largest provider of humanitarian assistance, which increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, we have provided over $40 million in virus-related assistance. That is in addition to past investments in South Sudan totalling $6.4 billion over the past 20 years. We continue to be a steadfast supporter of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and its life-saving work to protect civilians in conflict. We welcome and encourage continued UNMISS rapid deployments in Jonglei and elsewhere to provide protection and deter violence against civilians. Protecting civilians in protection-of-civilians sites remains an essential task. As UNMISS continues to transition its role in those sites, we urge meaningful coordination and transparency with the humanitarian community and with displaced persons. We also look forward to the results of the Organization’s independent strategic review of UNMISS. In the months to come, the United States will judge progress in South Sudan’s peace process in a few key areas. First, there should be an end to South Sudan’s restrictions on UNMISS patrols and movement. UNMISS is a critical component of the peace architecture in South Sudan, and its operations have saved many thousands of lives. South Sudan’s leaders need to start treating UNMISS like a partner, not an enemy. Secondly, all parties and armed groups should adhere to cessations of hostilities or ceasefires. Given the recent violence in the Equatorias, we call on parties to abide by their commitments, including their renewed commitment under the auspices of Sant’Egidio, to end conflict and expeditiously resume their dialogue. Finally, we call for efforts to hold accountable those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law and human rights abuses, including through progress on implementing the hybrid court for South Sudan; ensuring that civil society institutions, the media and opposition political parties can operate without intimidation; and reducing corruption through the implementation of provisions on joint governance, fiscal transparency and accountability in the Revitalized Peace Agreement. These areas for progress are not new. They reflect commitments already made by South Sudan’s leaders and endorsed by the region and the international community. We are simply asking South Sudan’s leaders to honour their own commitments. If these leaders are able to step up now, put aside differences and accelerate the implementation of the peace agreement, we believe that South Sudan’s people will start to experience increased stability, security and prosperity. They will be able to believe that peace has come. The United States remains committed to the people of South Sudan and to working with the transitional Government and the Council to enable peace and prosperity for the country and the region.

I would like to thank Mr. Mark Lowcock, Under Secretary-General and Mr. David Shearer, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for their insightful briefings. We reiterate our full support for the work of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and Mr. Shearer in this challenging time of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. I also thank Ms. Rambang Tai for her briefing. Viet Nam welcomes the continued relatively positive developments in South Sudan since the formation of the transitional Government. We commend the efforts of relevant parties in implementing the 2018 peace agreement and upholding the permanent ceasefire. That is greatly encouraging given the fact that the country has been facing various challenges in recent months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, heavy floods and rising food insecurity. We are also pleased to see the active role of South Sudan as mediator of the peace process of its neighbour, the Sudan. At the same time, we note that progress has remained slow on issues such as joint security arrangements and the formation of the transitional national assembly. Inter-tribal and community violence continue to be issues of particular concerns. In the light of recent developments, allow me to highlight several points. First, we reiterate the importance of the full implementation of the 2018 peace agreement. We call on the South Sudanese parties to spare no effort in advancing the joint security arrangements and establishing a transitional national assembly. We are encouraged to see female representation in the Government and the local leadership and look forward to seeing their increased participation. We commend the tireless efforts of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the African Union (AU), UNMISS and other relevant parties in promoting peace and stability in the country. At the same time, the international community should take into account the current difficulties and challenges in South Sudan. In that regard, we encourage IGAD, the AU, UNMISS and the neighbouring countries to strengthen their support for the South Sudanese parties, including through confidence-building measures and technical assistance. The role of IGAD as mediator will continue to be critical. Secondly, we emphasize the importance of continuing to uphold the permanent ceasefire. Further effective measures are also greatly needed to address inter-tribal and community violence in order to prevent the current peace process and the sustainable development of the country from being adversely affected. Given that UNMISS is beginning to withdraw from various protection-of-civilians sites, the Government must continue to strengthen its primary responsibility — the protection of civilians. Thirdly, it is vital to address the economic and humanitarian challenges in the country. We express our sincere condolences to the families of the victims of the recent floods. We are particularly concerned about the high level of food insecurity, which affects more than half of the population. We call on the Government and other South Sudanese parties to continue to do all they can to promote sustainable livelihoods for the people. We also urge the international community to strengthen humanitarian assistance for South Sudan in this difficult time. Fourthly, we commend the role of UNMISS, especially its women peacekeepers, in this difficult period of the COVID-19 pandemic, and will continue to support the work of the Mission. We would also like to commend the efforts of the United Nations Mine Action Service in addressing the humanitarian challenges in South Sudan. Finally, Viet Nam reiterates that sanctions are a tool to be applied by the Security Council only in a temporary and case-by-case manner in order to facilitate the maintenance of international peace and security. Those measures should not adversely affect the livelihoods of the people, the essential functioning of the Government or the legitimate development of the country concerned, and should be lifted when certain conditions are met. As Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2206 (2015), concerning South Sudan, Viet Nam will continue to work closely with the relevant Member States, the United Nations, IGAD and the AU in advancing the implementation of the agreements among the South Sudanese parties, thereby facilitating the midterm review of the sanctions regime in December.