S/PV.10038 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of South Sudan to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following briefers to participate in this meeting: Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations; Ms. Sima Sami Bahous, Executive Director of UN-Women; and Mr. Solomon Ayele Dersso, Executive Director of Amani Africa Media and Research Services. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2025/706, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in South Sudan. I now give the floor to Ms. Bahous. Ms. Bahous: I thank the Sierra Leonean presidency for inviting me to brief the Council today. South Sudan’s path to peace and development is beset by political instability, humanitarian crises and socioeconomic fragility. The country contends with weakened institutions and struggles with social cohesion, all as the ongoing war in neighbouring Sudan further destabilizes its fragile transition. Since April 2023, more than 1.2 million people have crossed into South Sudan, straining South Sudan’s systems and capacities, complicating humanitarian delivery and making mediation and cooperation more difficult. As always in crises and conflict, women and girls are hit hardest. Every day, they face relentless climate challenges, food insecurity, sexual violence, abductions and more. South Sudan has one of the highest rates of gender-based violence in the region, with an estimated 2.7 million people at risk. The year 2024 saw the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) document 260 cases of conflict-related sexual violence, including rape, gang rape, sexual slavery, forced abortion and forced marriage, with the highest number recorded in Western Equatoria state. Forced displacement, especially of women and children, increases these vulnerabilities, while resource scarcity and livelihood pressures fuel ethnic tensions, driving intercommunal violence and increasing vulnerability to gender-based violence, particularly in border areas. For South Sudan’s young people, the impacts are acutely gendered. Young women and girls face forced marriages and sexual violence. Young men and boys are enticed or forced to join armed groups as a means of survival. Despite all this, despite a well-documented reality of fragility, it is now that the United Nations work in South Sudan becomes ever more pressured. It is now that mandates are questioned and now that resources are withdrawn. As Under-Secretary- General Lacroix will highlight, the United Nations work in South Sudan is more critical than ever. Displaced women and girls depend upon it for basic necessities such as shelter, food and water. Women and girls depend on the protection patrols and the gender-based-violence partnerships between UN-Women and the United Nations Population Fund to support them. They depend on the United Nations, and on UN- In case all this seems abstract, I will share just one example with the Council. A few months ago, a group of armed youth surrounded a girls’ boarding school in Warrap state. They sought revenge for a cattle raid. One hundred schoolgirls were trapped inside. They feared abduction or worse. They feared it for good reason. Fortunately, United Nations peacekeepers intervened. They de-escalated the situation. They freed the girls. For those 100 girls, those peacekeepers could not have been more essential, nor their courage and skill more life-changing. Those 100 girls would find it incomprehensible that the mandates and resources behind those peacekeepers might somehow be in question. In this fragile environment, the withdrawal of resources and capacity is imprudent at best, catastrophic at worst. We know who will shoulder the inevitable burdens that come with disinvestment: it will be women — women, who are first responders on the front line, caregivers for their families and sustainers of their communities — all while facing a perfect storm of economic and climate- and conflict-related threats. They deserve better. We owe them better. It has been seven years since the signing of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. Those seven years have seen delayed elections; constitutional reforms that safeguard citizens’ rights, including gender equality, behind schedule; the unification of forces incomplete; and strong legal frameworks, social protection systems and transitional justice unrealized. The same is true of progress on women’s leadership and role in peace and security. It is regrettable that the second national action plan on women and peace and security, developed more than a year and a half ago, still awaits approval. The 35 per cent gender quota, which has so much potential to drive transformation for the better, is not yet a reality. Ceasefire monitors are overwhelmingly male. In the Nairobi peace talks, only 2 of the 18 delegates were women. All 10 governors are male, only 20 per cent of deputy governors are female, and women hold only 18 per cent of judicial positions. I recognize that two vice-presidents are women and that 40 per cent of the Political Parties Council is female. I hope that this proves to be a foundation for the quota to be extended also to the Cabinet, the national and state parliaments, the Council of States, the National Elections Commission and the Constitutional Review Commission. Women’s full and meaningful representation must be the norm in South Sudan, from community reconciliation platforms to national and regional decision-making spaces. At the grass-roots level, women forge local peace agreements between communities from different ethnic groups, resolve land conflicts or grazing conflicts between farmers and herders, intervene to stop cattle raids and collect small weapons from young men and boys. That is why I urge all parties to ensure that the agreed 35 per cent quota is met immediately, including for upcoming appointments to the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing and the Compensation and Reparation Authority. There is simply no more proven pathway to sustainable peace than women’s leadership and meaningful inclusion in conflict resolution. I call on the Security Council to maintain support for the United Nations in South Sudan, including its work on gender equality. I call on the Security Council’s resolutions and negotiations on budget to maintain that same gender lens. Cuts in funding have already been devastating for women and girls, shutting down health clinics, nutrition treatment sites and safe houses. They have jeopardized the crucial work of women’s organizations working on peace and social cohesion. There could be no worse time to withdraw such support. However difficult the circumstances, UN-Women will continue to work alongside all its partners  — the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority

I thank Ms. Bahous for her briefing. I now give the floor to Mr. Lacroix. Mr. Lacroix: I thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to brief you and the Security Council on the situation in South Sudan, which demands not only our attention but our collective action as well. This briefing is additionally informed by my visit to the country from 15 to 17 October. Let me also align myself fully with the statement just delivered by the Executive Director of UN-Women, my friend and colleague Sima Bahous, and I thank her for the excellent cooperation between UN- Women and United Nations peacekeeping. Over the past three months, the developments in South Sudan have continued to move in a negative and possibly dangerous direction. Ceasefire violations are on the increase, including widespread aerial bombardments and clashes between the signatories of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. With the unilateral removal of opposition appointees in the transitional Government of National Unity in violation of the peace agreement, First Vice-President Machar and opposition leaders allied to him remain detained and on trial, and the effects of the conflict in the Sudan continue to spill over the border, inflaming local tensions and placing strain on the already scarce resources of the Government and the international actors in the country. As a result of all this, the trust deficit between key role players has widened as the peace process seems to be unravelling. Despite these challenges and a breaking point becoming visible, the Revitalized Peace Agreement remains the only viable framework for long-term peace and stability in South Sudan. The principle of inclusivity that underpinned the Agreement in general and the power-sharing arrangement in particular appear to have been sacrificed in the wave of repeated unilateral decisions. In this context, the emergence of breakaway factions could raise questions about the viability of the peace process and the peaceful nature before, during and after future elections conducted under these circumstances. The detention and ongoing trial of senior Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-Army in Opposition leaders, including First Vice-President Machar, have further polarized the political environment. While I will not comment on the legal merits of the case, I must stress that adherence to due process and the fairness and transparency of the trial is critically important if public confidence is to be maintained and the trial is not to serve as a trigger for violence. Institutions designed to foster partnerships are under-resourced and faltering. In the absence of dialogue, mistrust is hardening, and any remaining space for compromise is fast diminishing. As a result, the implementation of the transitional security arrangements remains stalled, and little progress has been observed in the constitution-making process. The transitional period of the peace agreement is expected to conclude after elections in December 2026. Much has been stated I concur fully with the call of the African Union Peace and Security Council for IGAD, as guarantor of the peace process, and neighbouring States to re-energize efforts to ensure implementation and accountability for commitments made in the peace agreement. As credible and peaceful elections within the timelines of the peace agreement in December 2026 appear increasingly improbable, fresh political commitment and dialogue between the leaders of South Sudan are therefore essential. Political commitment and dialogue between the leaders of South Sudan are absolutely critical for the country to move forward, including on key political processes contemplated by the peace agreement. The humanitarian situation remains catastrophic. More than 7.5 million people face acute food insecurity; 28,000 are at risk of famine. Flooding has displaced more than 1 million. More than 1.2 million returnees and refugees from the Sudan have crossed into a country already struggling to feed its own people. Human suffering during this volatile situation continues to mount. Conflict-related sexual violence, arbitrary detentions and extrajudicial killings persist, with limited accountability. I urge all parties to immediately cease hostilities and recommit to the cessation of hostilities agreement. Despite insecurity and rising bureaucratic impediments, humanitarian partners bravely continue to deliver assistance, often at great personal risk. I call on the Government to lift access restrictions, guarantee the safety of aid workers and hold to account all those involved in attacks on humanitarian workers. These political and security upheavals coincide with a financial crisis for the United Nations and peacekeeping in particular. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), like other missions, faces difficult challenges to meet ambitious mandates with diminishing means. Since its inception in 2011, UNMISS has operated through two civil wars in 2013 and 2016 and saved hundreds of thousands of lives under its protection of civilians mandate, maintained six protection of civilian sites hosting up to 250,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) for more than seven years and implemented its other mandated activities outlined in the remaining three pillars of the mandate. As things stand, the Mission continues to maintain a protection of civilians site in Malakal and provides security support to humanitarian actors managing the IDP camps that were redesignated from being protection of civilians sites. The facts on the ground prove that the presence of the Mission in South Sudan was and remains essential to maintaining peace and stability, to the extent possible, until the end of the transition period. While the current liquidity crisis will greatly affect the ability of the Mission to protect civilians and deliver on the rest of its mandate, UNMISS continues to be a critical actor in South Sudan to protect civilians and support all efforts aimed at maintaining peace and stability in the country, again to the extent possible and in a region that is massively affected by conflict. In this context, the contingency plan, applied across all United Nations peacekeeping operations to address liquidity challenges, is now being implemented in UNMISS. This plan entails the closure of certain field offices and bases, the repatriation of uniformed personnel, which has already begun, and reductions in national and international staff. While I received assurances from President Salva Kiir Mayardit and several ministers that the host Government recognizes the difficult circumstances facing UNMISS and would support the Mission in implementing its plan, only days later the Mission received a formal document from the Government outlining a series of conditions that are not only impractical but pose a serious threat to the viability of the contingency plan and, potentially, to the Mission itself. Unless there is greater understanding and flexibility on the part of the Government, the Mission’s ability to fulfil its mandate will be severely compromised and, frankly, the future of that Mission is completely at stake. We remain committed to working closely with the Government to ensure the swift implementation of this exercise, which is primarily intended to allow us to continue executing our mandate for the benefit of the peace and stability of the people of South Sudan. In this regard, we call for the support of the Government, which remains key to progress in the future. However, let me reiterate that the Status of Forces Agreement between the United Nations and the Government of the Republic of South Sudan concerning the United Nations Mission in South Sudan must be respected and the safety of United Nations personnel and assets must be guaranteed. We also count on the continued support of the Council in this regard. To conclude, implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan remains South Sudan’s only path to stability and lasting peace. But time is running dangerously short and there is an urgent need to bring the peace process back on track. We hope the Council will send a clear message in this regard. The parties must take a citizen-centric approach, reinvigorate their commitment to political inclusion and cease unilateral actions. Furthermore, we, as regional actors, and the international community, must remain united and engaged. At a time of global uncertainty, developments next door in the Sudan, particularly in Darfur, serve as a reminder that peacekeeping is an investment in international peace and security, as the region simply cannot afford another conflict causing more suffering to the people of South Sudan, who have suffered far too much and for far too long.

I thank Mr. Lacroix for his briefing. I now give the floor to Mr. Dersso. Mr. Dersso: I would like to thank you, Mr President, and Sierra Leone’s presidency for the invitation extended to me to deliver this briefing representing my organization, Amani Africa Media and Research Services. I would like to recognize with appreciation the previous briefers. Amani Africa, a pan-African policy research, training and consulting think tank that works on multilateral policy processes of concern and interest to Africa, is a leading source of information and analysis related to conflict situations in Africa on the agenda of both the African Union Peace and Security Council and the United Nations Security Council. It is therefore an honour for me to draw on Amani Africa’s work for my briefing today on South Sudan. Similar to 2016, and as documented in the Secretary-General’s report (S/2025/706), the deepening political tension manifests itself, among other things, in the purges and replacement of senior officials and the detention of others. Apart from aggravating political tensions and constitutional uncertainty, these actions constitute, as in 2016, serious violations of the peace agreement, signifying the collapse of the power-sharing arrangement under the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. The reconstituted Joint Monitoring Evaluation Commission (R-JMEC), the body monitoring the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, observed in its report, released last month, that there is “systematic violation of the responsibility-sharing arrangements across all crucial bodies, including functionality of the executive and legislature.” The mounting political tensions and constitutional crisis are, in part, a manifestation of a political scheme to take a lead position in the elections South Sudan is set to convene at the end of the transition period, scheduled in December 2026. Significantly, as in 2016, the fighting that erupted between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and armed groups linked to the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-Army in Opposition has continued to escalate and expand, as documented in the Secretary-General’s report and the report from the R-JMEC, across different states of the Sudan. The fragile peace established under the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan is in grave peril. The R-JMEC thus cautioned that the violations of the peace agreement “must be addressed urgently to return the implementation process back on track in order to safeguard the gains of the peace agreement and to prevent a relapse to violence in South Sudan.” As in 2016, and as the Secretary-General’s report presented today shows, the deteriorating political and security situation is producing further humanitarian distress, aggravating the already dire humanitarian situation facing the South Sudanese. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported recently that, in addition to the existing 2 million internally displaced persons, more than 497,000 people were newly displaced between the beginning of the year and September 2025, the vast majority of them, approximately 321,000, owing to the conflict. This clearly attests to the fact that South Sudanese civilians are bearing the brunt of the deteriorating political and security situation in the country, highlighting a heightening need for reinforcing measures for the protection of civilians. The state of the political, security, peace implementation and humanitarian situation indicates that there are at least three pressing issues that require the urgent policy action of the Council. The first of these is arresting the downward political and security spiral and preventing the relapse of the country back into conflict. There is a need for deploying robust and prompt preventive diplomacy. This should not just be aimed at ending the escalating and spreading conflicts. It should also seek to avoid having the December 2026 elections plunge the country back into conflict. This latter point becomes particularly important on account of recent trends in the continent that show that countries with political polarization tend to face an eruption of that The second pressing issue is restoring the commitment of parties to the 2018 Revitalized Agreement and accelerating, as Mr. Lacroix pointed out, the implementation of transitional tasks critical to the peaceful conclusion of the transition period with the convening of peaceful and credible elections. The third issue is the imperative of supporting the work of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, particularly in terms of the implementation of the measures required for both enhancing protection of civilians and advancing subnational peacemaking and peacebuilding efforts. Regarding prevention, there are four actions available to the Council. First, as previous speakers made it clear, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of the Council expressing and providing its full support to the role and ongoing efforts of the trilateral mechanism — the United Nations, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development —, plus the R-JMEC. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, the Council needs to exercise its enormous influence to nudge the parties to both end unilateral actions endangering the peace of the country and engage in dialogue. The Council can accomplish this directly on its own by undertaking a field mission to South Sudan and engaging the parties. Thirdly, and complementing the foregoing, the Council may encourage the Secretary-General, together with the African Union Commission Chairperson, to deploy a joint high-level preventive diplomacy initiative under the Joint United Nations-African Union Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security, including by appointing a special envoy. Fourthly, the Council may call for an independent investigation into incidents of violations of the Revitalized Agreement, including the March 2025 incident in Nasir, through a mechanism put in place as part of the peace agreement by the United Nations, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. Regarding the protection of civilians, I urge the Council to take the following measures. First, the Council should call on all armed actors involved in fighting in South Sudan to cease all hostilities and call on the two parties to the Revitalized Peace Agreement to restore full adherence to the permanent ceasefire and transitional security arrangements. Secondly, the Council should call for respect for all rules of international humanitarian law and human rights law by all armed actors and demand that armed actors lift the humanitarian access restrictions that they have imposed and ensure the safety of humanitarian workers to enable the urgent delivery of assistance to the affected communities. Thirdly and finally, this body should also provide support for and task the United Nations Mission in South Sudan to elevate its preparedness for meeting the potential surge in the need for civilian protection in South Sudan. South Sudanese have endured so much suffering for far too long. They cannot afford the perpetuation of the status quo, let alone any addition to their suffering. They deserve some respite. The least that can be done in this respect is to spare them from yet another descent of the country into full-scale war. Prevention of the continuation of the downward spiral in South Sudan is also a regional and international peace and security imperative. With neighbouring Sudan in the grip of a brutal war, the region Despite the fact that the current global and regional dynamics make the Council’s role unenviable, taking the measures listed above and putting South Sudan on a path to concluding its transition peacefully are not beyond the Council’s abilities. I urge the Council to act with urgency and decisiveness and deliver for South Sudanese civilians yearning to be spared from further suffering by preventing South Sudan’s collapse back into full-scale civil war.

I thank Mr. Dersso for his briefing. I now give the floor to those Council members who wish to make statements.

South Sudan is on the brink of a renewed large-scale civil war. Political violence against South Sudanese citizens is escalating. First Vice- President Machar is under arrest, and the transitional Government is failing to meet the most basic needs of its citizens. South Sudan’s leaders must immediately reverse course. The United States calls on political leaders to engage in direct dialogue and clearly renounce this violence. The international community has provided extraordinary political and economic assistance since South Sudan’s independence. The United States alone has contributed more than $9 billion in direct bilateral assistance, in addition to billions of dollars more in contributions to international and regional organizations. Unfortunately, the transitional Government has not done its part. Far too often, it actively hinders the delivery of humanitarian assistance and obstructs the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in its mandated activities and operations. Rather than using public revenue to improve the lives of its citizens, South Sudan’s leaders have instead prioritized personal enrichment. Humanitarian needs today are at an all-time high, despite $25 billion in oil revenue since its independence in 2011. Some international organizations have continued with a business-as-usual approach, calling for more donations without calling out the transitional Government for its role in South Sudan’s largely man-made crisis. It is particularly regrettable when United Nations agency representatives will not hold the host Government accountable for these perpetual practices. The transitional Government must start using public revenue to pay salaries to public officials, including security services, and to fund health, education and other essential services. It must also immediately cooperate with UNMISS and cease impeding the Mission and harassing its people. The transitional Government must also stop obstructing those who facilitate or provide humanitarian assistance and civilian protection. We strongly condemn the seizure of food aid by government security forces and the ambush of UNMISS forces by armed elements in Western Equatoria. In addition, authorities have imposed extralegal fees and denied humanitarian assistance for political purposes. These indefensible actions, along with spreading violence, make South Sudan one of the most difficult and dangerous places in the world to deliver assistance. When South Sudan’s leaders make headway in tackling corruption and restoring the country’s economy and social welfare system, they will begin to restore confidence in the transitional Government’s commitment to peace, stability and reconciliation. Such progress will also attract greater support and long- term investment.

I welcome the representative of South Sudan’s presence among us. I thank Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary- General for Peace Operations; Ms. Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN-Women; and Mr. Solomon Ayele Dersso, Executive Director of Amani Africa Media and Research Services, for their briefings. First, as Mr. Lacroix emphasized, the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan remains the only political framework offering the country the prospect of peaceful development. We call on all actors in South Sudan to fully respect the ceasefire and to re-engage in implementing the peace agreement. We support the repeated calls of the African Union for a cessation of hostilities and for the release of the First Vice-President, Riek Machar. Any measures contrary to the Revitalized Agreement only serve to inflame tensions. Secondly, France expresses its full support for the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Nicholas Haysom. We call for an end to restrictions on his freedom of movement and for full respect for the status-of-forces agreement. All stakeholders in South Sudan must cooperate with UNMISS, which plays an essential role in the stability of the country and for its people. Thirdly, France calls for full respect for the arms embargo. South Sudan is in a region affected by numerous crises that exacerbate its own security situation, in particular the conflict in neighbouring Sudan. France calls on all States to respect the embargo and, where appropriate, to make use of the exemptions provided. Fourthly, the international community must continue to support the people of South Sudan, who are facing forced displacement, violence, flooding, food insecurity and epidemics, as underscored by the representatives of Amani Africa Media and Research Services and UN-Women. As Ms. Sima Bahous just noted, sexual and gender-based violence is rampant, and children are particularly affected by violence, hunger and diseases. France condemns the repeated attacks on humanitarian personnel, who must be protected, in line with international humanitarian law. Safe and unhindered humanitarian access to populations in need must be guaranteed. That is, first and foremost, the responsibility of the Government of South Sudan. Peace and stability in South Sudan hinge on the drafting of a constitution and the holding of free and fair elections. Sufficient resources must be allocated to preparing for and organizing these elections, which are expected to be held in late December 2026. Moreover, progress must be achieved towards deploying the Necessary Unified Forces. We call upon the South Sudanese authorities to heed the message of the Council, the African Union and the international community and to engage proactively and take the necessary measures, for the sake of the South Sudanese people.

I thank our briefers for their valuable insights, and I welcome the representative of South Sudan to our meeting today. I will make three points. First, the United Kingdom remains concerned about the deterioration in the political situation in South Sudan, described in the Secretary-General’s report (S/2025/706). Violations of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, exclusionary reshuffles and the systematic sidelining of opposition voices undermine the peace process. We call on the transitional Government of South Sudan to urgently recommit to inclusive political dialogue and to restore civic space. The ongoing detention and trial of First Vice-President Machar represents a serious risk to South Sudan’s fragile peace process. Progress on election preparations should accelerate, with meaningful participation from all stakeholders. Thirdly, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) plays a vital role in protecting civilians, supporting reconciliation and promoting human rights. It is critical that UNMISS is able to implement its mandate without impediment. Therefore, it is deeply regrettable that the Mission continues to face violations of the status-of-forces agreement. The United Kingdom urgently calls on the transitional Government of South Sudan to cooperate fully and unequivocally with the Mission, including by granting unrestricted access and operational freedom.

I thank today’s briefers for their briefings. Slovenia reiterates its firm support for the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and pays tribute to the men and women of the Mission who continue to serve under difficult and too-often dangerous conditions. We strongly condemn all attacks against UNMISS personnel and assets. As Slovenia slowly reflects on its time in the Council, we look at South Sudan with both deep concern and enduring conviction: concern for the direction the country is taking, and conviction that the promise of durable peace is achievable. I wish to make three points. First, South Sudan’s peace must not become another broken promise. The Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan remains the best chance for a stable and inclusive future. We are therefore deeply worried about its steady erosion. The agreed power-sharing arrangements, meant to be the heart of governance, are being replaced by conflict and armed confrontations, unilateral political actions and political reshuffles that undermine both trust and compromise. Leadership demands courage to bridge divides. Slovenia therefore calls on all parties to cease hostilities, uphold the permanent ceasefire, return to dialogue and place the future of the country above factional interests. We note the announcement and subsequent beginnings of trials of opposition figures, including the First Vice-President. We reiterate that the rule of law must remain the anchor of peace, as justice can only serve peace when it is impartial and transparent. We therefore call for adherence to international standards of fairness, due process and transparency in all judicial proceedings. Secondly, the people of South Sudan deserve more than just survival. In South Sudan, the intersection of climate and conflict is no longer only a warning. Conflict, flooding, intercommunal violence and the war in the Sudan have converged into one of the most complex humanitarian crises. The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification report points to a sharp decline in food security, with hunger tightening its grip, as aid barely reaches civilians at risk of famine. We must not wait for another famine declaration to confirm what is already clear: tens of thousands are living on the edge of catastrophe. All this is unfolding as the humanitarian system is stretched to its breaking point. Access is shrinking, insecurity is rising, and resources are increasingly Thirdly, the path to peace must be owned by the people of South Sudan. The voices of women, youth and civil society are essential to rebuilding a nation that has known too much conflict and too little trust. We note that women remain underrepresented in governance, despite clear commitments under the Revitalized Agreement. We call for their full, equal, meaningful and safe participation, including in constitutional, electoral and transitional justice processes and in peacebuilding. Slovenia also underlines the need for the meaningful participation and leadership of young people as active partners in peacebuilding, conflict prevention and governance. The youth of South Sudan deserve to inherit a State that values their voices and gives them the opportunities to build a peaceful future. In the Council, Slovenia has often spoken for those without a voice, for civilians under fire, for humanitarians under threat, for peacekeepers under attack. We do so, including in South Sudan, out of the conviction that protecting life is not an act of charity, but a duty of law and conscience. We have heard many times that South Sudan remains at a crossroads — ultimately between the choice of politics as a contest for power or politics as a service to peace. Slovenia stands and will continue to stand with the people of South Sudan on their path towards durable peace and stability.

We are grateful to Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix and Executive Director of UN-Women Sima Sami Bahous for the information they provided to us. We have listened to the civil society representative, Mr. Solomon Dersso. We welcome the participation of the representative of South Sudan in today’s meeting. Unfortunately, the situation in South Sudan is far from stable. Its recent escalation is cause for serious concern. Clashes between government forces and opposition supporters are taking an increasing human toll, including on the civilian population. Hostilities have spread across vast areas. The dire humanitarian situation in the country is being exacerbated by frequent natural disasters and the influx of hundreds of thousands of refugees and returning South Sudanese. We are alarmed at reports about the possible use of South Sudanese territory as a springboard for supporting one of the parties to the conflict in neighbouring Sudan. We are convinced that maintaining strong neighbourly relations between the two countries is in their mutual interests. In this regard, we caution external actors against exploiting certain tensions between Port Sudan and Juba to advance a confrontational agenda in Sudanese and South Sudanese affairs. We see a path to sustainable stabilization in South Sudan through coordinated steps by the African community, aimed at peacefully resolving the current military and political crisis. We highly appreciate the mediation efforts of the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. We are convinced that the initiatives of individual States on the continent, which are trusted by both Port Sudan and Juba, can also play a part. It is important to offer the South Sudanese coherent solutions that are adapted to the changed domestic political landscape and do not call into question the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. We hope that the Government of South Sudan and the opposition, with the assistance of the countries of the continent, will demonstrate political wisdom, will be capable of averting a further escalation of armed confrontation and will revert to the rationale of the Revitalized Peace Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, including the formation of unified armed forces as a guarantee of progress in the peace process. We firmly believe that the timeline for this process should be left to the discretion of Juba. In our view, the Council is capable of placing its trust in the youngest member of the United Nations so as to give it time and room The activities of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) are an important ingredient in the country’s progress towards peace. We note that UNMISS has been given the broadest possible mandate and is successfully coping with the overwhelming majority of its tasks. We strongly condemn any acts of violence directed against Blue Helmets, humanitarian workers and the civilian population. We trust that, notwithstanding the current financial difficulties, UNMISS will continue to effectively support the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement. However, such cuts do have their limits. Leaving the mandate unchanged, while requiring the Mission to perform the gamut of tasks for stabilization in South Sudan and continually cutting its resources will not work forever. We believe that the United Nations presence in South Sudan should continue, in close liaison with the country’s Government, to promote reform and bolster sustainable State institutions that are acceptable to all South Sudanese people. Once again, we note the detrimental effect of the arms embargo on South Sudan. This regime is the main obstacle to forming and equipping a national unified army, and representatives of the African continent, including those on the Council, have called for it to be revised or eased. It is clear that existing exemptions from the embargo are insufficient to address the considerable task of strengthening national security. We will work consistently towards having the regime eased or completely dismantled.

Panama thanks Executive Director Sima Bahous and Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix for their updates and Mr. Solomon Ayele Dersso for his briefing. We also acknowledge the presence of the representative of South Sudan at this meeting. Panama observes with deep concern the continued erosion of the agreements reached under the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. Recent reports indicate that the political and security landscape remains unfavourable, affecting the reconstituted transitional Government of National Unity and weakening the spirit of inclusiveness that the Agreement seeks to foster. The prolonged detention of First Vice-President Riek Machar and other senior officials, followed by the ongoing trial, requires that all judicial proceedings comply with international standards of due process, impartiality and transparency. We call on all parties to prioritize inclusive dialogue as the only way to resolve the political and security challenges in the country. At the same time, the humanitarian situation in South Sudan remains critical. According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, more than 5 million people are facing high levels of acute food insecurity, including 1.3 million in conditions of emergency and extreme risk. The World Food Programme notes that these levels of famine are driven by recent conflicts, mass displacement, restrictions on humanitarian access, the economic crisis, climate impacts and the erosion of community resilience. Panama notes with concern the impacts that extreme weather events have on food security, livelihoods and access to basic services. Integrating climate resilience strategies into humanitarian and development efforts is essential to protect civilians. In this context, children are being seriously affected by hunger and violence. The reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission has warned about the prevalence of forced recruitment of minors by armed groups. Recruiting a child undermines their development, destabilizes communities and contravenes international humanitarian law. Panama highlights the Security Council’s recent visit to Addis Ababa and the constructive dialogue with the Peace and Security Council of the African Union on the situation in South Sudan. The sustained attention of regional actors is essential in order to keep the channels of dialogue and monitoring open, thereby avoiding further fragmentation of the peace process. In that regard, we welcome diplomatic efforts to revive the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement, recognizing that sustained and coordinated action is essential to consolidating peace in South Sudan. In conclusion, Panama reaffirms its conviction that only an inclusive political process free of hostilities and violence, based on the rule of law, the protection of human rights and the guarantee of public security, will make it possible to achieve the lasting peace that this young country so desperately needs.

I thank our briefers for their comprehensive briefings, and I welcome the presence of the Permanent Representative of South Sudan here in the Chamber today. The Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan has been deliberately undermined for the past seven years. The erosion of political trust and intensifying violence continue to deter any prospects for lasting peace for the people of South Sudan. I have three messages. First, with elections barely 13 months away, we see a troubling lack of commitment to key provisions in the peace agreement, leaving several pivotal tasks yet to be fulfilled. In some regions, conditions resemble a return to civil war. The entrenched culture of winner takes all is eroding hope for political remediation or improved well-being for the people in South Sudan. Systemic mismanagement has led to public resources being converted into private power. This is depriving citizens of their most basic rights, fragmenting the patchwork of governance and leading to local struggles, corruption and misery. The detention of First Vice-President Machar and other opposition figures are actions that undermine the peace agreement. The judiciary in charge of the case must exhibit independence and transparency and ensure proper due process. We call for an inclusive political dialogue to unite the South Sudanese in meaningful dialogue and to build national consensus on the future of the country. Secondly, with almost 8 million facing acute food insecurity in South Sudan, with a risk of famine, the humanitarian and human rights crisis is dire, disproportionately affecting women and children. We continue to be alarmed by the sharp increase in conflict-related sexual violence. We reiterate our call for holding the perpetrators accountable and recall the obligation for all actors to comply with international humanitarian law and human rights law. The transitional Government of South Sudan must urgently address the humanitarian crisis by allocating maximum resources to meet the basic needs of its population. Furthermore, we strongly urge the Government to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access for the United Nations As its third and final point, Denmark expresses its unwavering support for the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in its endeavours to fulfil its mandate. With an extremely fragile situation in South Sudan, we are deeply concerned about the impact of the liquidity crisis on the ability of UNMISS to fulfil its mandate. We pay tribute to the troops who put their lives at risk every day to carry out their important task in a constantly changing and complex environment. UNMISS must be able to operate without interference or imposed conditions. Denmark therefore strongly urges the transitional Government of South Sudan to engage fully and constructively with the Mission and to respect the status-of-forces agreement. To conclude, the authorities of South Sudan must respect the dignity, well-being and fundamental rights of their people. We call on the transitional Government to act accordingly, demonstrating through concrete action a genuine commitment to peace, accountability and the protection of all civilians. Denmark remains a steadfast partner in supporting the people of South Sudan on their path towards a peaceful and democratic future.

I thank Under-Secretary-General Lacroix and Executive Director Bahous for their briefings. I also listened carefully to the statement by Mr. Dersso. I welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of South Sudan at today’s meeting. In the more than 10 years since its independence, South Sudan has repeatedly experienced the ravages of war, causing its people great suffering. The peace that has prevailed since the signing of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan is hard won and should be cherished. The political process in South Sudan ultimately depends on the Government and people of South Sudan. However, the support and assistance of the international community are indispensable. We must work together to help this young country to move steadily forward on the path to peace and development. In the light of the Secretary-General’s report (S/2025/706), I wish to make four points. First, national stability must be maintained. The current security situation in South Sudan is worrisome, with localized conflicts and crossfire occurring from time to time. China urges all parties to focus on the overall situation of peace and stability in the country; effectively cease hostilities; protect civilians and humanitarian workers, in particular; and prevent the cycles of violence from escalating out of control. We call on all parties to resolve their differences through inclusive dialogue and encourage greater unity and peaceful coexistence among the various communities. The international community should do more to promote peace and stability and avoid fuelling tension. Secondly, the political process should be advanced. China welcomes the announcement by the Government of South Sudan of its intention to relaunch the Tumaini initiative process and the progress made by South Sudan in expanding the judiciary and restoring local courts. We call on all parties to remain committed to the Revitalized Agreement, strive to transcend political differences and find the greatest common denominator to implement, in an orderly manner, the arrangements for the deployment of necessary unified forces, the drafting of the Constitution and preparations for the general elections, so as to steadily make progress in the political transition. Fourthly, the development of the economy and livelihoods should be promoted. South Sudan has a single-structure economy, with a relatively weak economic foundation. As a result of the spillover effects of the conflicts in the Sudan and the flooding during the rainy season, the number of displaced persons is increasing and the humanitarian situation is becoming increasingly dire. China calls on the international community to increase support, providing humanitarian assistance to address the symptoms and development cooperation to tackle the root causes so as to help to stabilize the economy and livelihoods, improve the well-being of its people and support South Sudan in taking the path of independent and sustainable development. China is the main troop-contributing country to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Over the years, Chinese peacekeepers have stepped forward and fulfilled their duties with the utmost dedication and professionalism, even sacrificing their precious lives. Their outstanding performance has earned the recognition of the United Nations and the host country. Through their actions, they have exemplified the noble mission of the Blue Helmets. China appreciates and supports the work of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan, Mr. Haysom, and will, as always, support UNMISS in fulfilling its mandate. UNMISS has played an important role in maintaining domestic peace in South Sudan and supporting the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement. Its role should be strengthened rather than weakened. At a time when missions are generally under pressure to reduce expenditure, we encourage the Government of South Sudan, the United Nations Secretariat and UNMISS to continue to uphold the spirit of cooperation, addressing specific issues encountered in the implementation of the Mission’s mandate through friendly consultations so that UNMISS can better perform its duties efficiently and cost effectively, play a greater role in maintaining peace within South Sudan and advance the political process.

I also thank the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, and the Executive Director for UN-Women, Ms. Sima Bahous, for their insightful briefings. I also thank Mr. Dersso, of Amani Africa, for his remarks. I would like to highlight three key points regarding the ongoing situation in South Sudan. First, Greece remains deeply concerned about the continued erosion of the power-sharing arrangements established under the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. Unilateral decisions, including the dismissal and replacement of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement- Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) officials, the creation of parallel administrative structures and the ongoing trial of First Vice-President Riek Machar, have seriously undermined trust among the parties. These developments weaken the spirit of inclusivity and compromise that the Agreement was meant to preserve and risk reversing the fragile gains achieved since its signing. Greece calls on all Secondly, according to the Secretary-General’s report (S/2025/706), the security situation in Upper Nile and Equatoria continues to deteriorate, marked by renewed clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and the SPLM/A-IO. These confrontations have led to civilian casualties and large-scale displacement. Greece strongly condemns all violations of the 2017 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and echoes the Secretary-General’s call for an immediate cessation of armed confrontations. We are equally alarmed by reports of arbitrary arrests, extrajudicial executions and restrictions on civic and political space. Respect for human rights, the rule of law and due process is indispensable for restoring public confidence and achieving sustainable peace. In this regard, Greece welcomes the recent expansion of the judiciary and the adoption of a new code of conduct as important steps towards strengthening judicial integrity and accountability. Thirdly, the consistently high number of grave violations against children in South Sudan is deeply concerning, predominantly recruitment and use, abduction and killing and maiming. Attacks on schools and hospitals and the military use of these facilities continue to deprive children of their basic rights and safety. Both non-State actors and government security forces bear responsibility for these violations. Greece calls on all parties to the conflict to immediately end and prevent all grave violations against children and to release the children that still remain in their ranks. We also call on the Government to ensure accountability for perpetrators of all violations. In this regard, we commend the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) for its work and, especially, for its ongoing child protection initiatives. Greece reiterates also its strong commitment to advancing the women and peace and security agenda in South Sudan. Women remain underrepresented in leadership, holding only approximately 20 per cent of positions, despite the 35 per cent target set by the Revitalized Agreement. Echoing the earlier joint statement on Women, Peace and Security, Greece reaffirms its support for the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all political and peace processes. Sustainable peace cannot be achieved without their leadership, protection and empowerment. Finally, Greece reaffirms its steadfast support for the work of Special Representative Nicholas Haysom and the continued presence of UNMISS. Its role in facilitating the peace process, monitoring human rights and enabling humanitarian access remains essential and irreplaceable.

I thank Under-Secretary-General Lacroix, Executive Director Bahous and Executive Director Dersso for their informative briefings. I also welcome the participation of the representative of South Sudan in this meeting. Twelve years ago, the Republic of Korea demonstrated its special commitment to South Sudan by deploying its military engineering troops, known as the Hanbit Unit. At that time, we sincerely believed that rebuilding communities would help to lay the groundwork for lasting peace. More than a decade has now passed, yet elections remain overdue, the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan is under mounting strain amid deepening political friction, and renewed violence continues to worsen humanitarian suffering. With this context in mind, I would like to highlight three points today. Secondly, political progress cannot be sustained in the absence of a stabilized security situation. The continued armed clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition, including the use of indiscriminate aerial bombing, constitute a violation of the ceasefire and a grave threat to civilians. All parties must immediately stop committing acts of violence and recommit to full implementation of the security provisions of the Revitalized Agreement. This includes the second phase of training for the Necessary Unified Forces. In this connection, the role of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan remains indispensable in fulfilling its mandate to protect civilians. We strongly condemn the repeated attacks against the Mission and the obstruction of its implementation of the contingency plan amid the ongoing liquidity crisis. We urge the South Sudanese authorities to fully cooperate with the Mission. Thirdly, civilians remain the first to suffer and the last to be protected in South Sudan’s conflicts. Ongoing violence and the lack of humanitarian access are worsening an already dire situation marked by massive displacement, severe food insecurity, climate-induced flooding and the worst cholera outbreak in the country’s history. We also strongly condemn the increasing attacks on humanitarian workers, including the recent looting of nutrition supplies from a humanitarian helicopter. Safe and unhindered humanitarian access must be guaranteed. To help alleviate these conditions, we call for stronger international humanitarian support. For its part, Korea is working with various United Nations funds and programmes to protect survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and to support peacebuilding activities. As I recalled at the outset, Korea has contributed troops to South Sudan for many years, driven by the hope that the country would one day be able to stand on its own and take the path towards lasting peace. Peacekeeping can buy time, but it cannot buy will. The next steps rest with the South Sudanese themselves. The international partners, including Korea, who have stood with the South Sudanese people will continue to support it. Now, responsibility must be matched by resolve.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Sierra Leone. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the three African members of the Security Council plus (A3+), namely, Algeria, Guyana, Somalia and my country, Sierra Leone. We thank Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN-Women Executive Director, Ms. Sima Sami Bahous, and Mr. Solomon Dersso for their comprehensive briefings. We acknowledge the Secretary-General’s report on the situation in South Sudan (S/2025/706) and welcome the participation of the representative of South Sudan in this meeting. The A3+ wishes to underscore four points. First, we underline the need for sustained funding to support the peacekeeping mission, humanitarian aid and the political processes that underpin the peace agreement’s full implementation and the transition towards democratic elections. South Sudan needs sustained technical and logistical support to help navigate the difficult political and security situation in the country. Scaling down the operational presence of UNMISS will put the prospect of durable peace in South Sudan in jeopardy. The A3+ joins the Secretary-General’s call urging the international community to address UNMISS’s funding crisis to sustain peacekeeping efforts, which are essential to the country’s stability. The A3+ is profoundly alarmed by the difficult financial situation of United Nations peacekeeping operations, including UNMISS, and by the Mission’s 15 per cent reduction in expenditure, which will necessitate the repatriation of approximately 25 per cent of uniformed personnel and equipment, significantly affecting the Mission’s operations. The budget cuts are expected to have a negative impact on UNMISS’s ability to operate, including the potential closure of some bases and a reduction in personnel. We further echo the request from the Peace and Security Council of the African Union following its meeting of 28 October on the situation in South Sudan, directed to the Chairs of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Union Commission. We also echo the Secretary-General’s call to collaborate with the board of the Special Fund for Reconstruction and Development towards convening a South Sudan pledging conference, with a view to mobilizing financial resources. Secondly, South Sudan is at a turning point, as evidenced by the consistent violations of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, the lack of progress on key provisions, the erosion of power-sharing arrangements and unilateral dismissals and replacements. Intensified clashes, mainly between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and the opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-Army in Opposition forces since March 2025, have resulted in numerous civilian deaths, mass displacement and the destruction of infrastructure. The permanent ceasefire has been repeatedly violated, undermining the successful implementation of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement. The A3+ is therefore extremely concerned about the current political challenges in South Sudan, and we call upon the Government to take steps to address the ongoing political impasse. The A3+ demands that First Vice-President Riek Machar and the other individuals charged receive a fair trial in accordance with applicable legal procedures. We strongly urge all parties to the Revitalized Peace Agreement to place the supreme interests of the people of South Sudan and the country above all else and to address peacefully all challenges facing the implementation of the Agreement. We also strongly urge all parties to honour the extended transition timelines. We call on the parties to the conflict to cease hostilities We applaud the efforts undertaken by the African Union to resolve the impasse, especially the visit by the African Union Peace and Security Council and the African Union Commission, albeit with the continuation of the political impasse. In this connection, the A3+ strongly calls for the full implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement. We commend the holding of the fourth extraordinary meeting of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) in October. We welcome the steps outlined by the RJMEC to break the current deadlock, urgently address the ongoing crisis and return to the implementation of the peace agreement. The A3+ regrets that the planned visits to South Sudan and Uganda by the Committee established pursuant to resolution 2206 (2015) concerning South Sudan have been blocked by an objection from one permanent member. We reiterate our call for the reinvigorated coordination of international, regional and subregional mediation initiatives to salvage the peace process in South Sudan. Thirdly, we are profoundly alarmed by the scale and scope of human rights violations, including conflict-related violence, abductions and child recruitment, as highlighted in the Secretary-General’s report. We urge the stakeholders in South Sudan to take concrete measures to end impunity by holding perpetrators accountable for their actions, without exception. The escalation of this conflict underscores the need for the Hybrid Court for South Sudan to ensure accountability, promote deterrence and encourage sustainable peace based on justice. Accountability for violence should be a critical component in any political settlement. Building towards justice and reconciliation and contributing to reconciling the people of South Sudan should be the genuine aim of the international community  — one that requires sustained diplomatic and political efforts and political will. We therefore underscore the urgent need to take administrative and legal steps to ensure the establishment of the Hybrid Court for South Sudan, even as we welcome the Chief Justice’s strategic judicial plan, the posting of more than 60 judges nationwide and the re-establishment of High Court benches in several counties. Fourth and finally, timely funding of the humanitarian response is critical to saving countless lives and preventing further suffering in South Sudan. Despite some generous contributions, the overall donor response to the humanitarian crisis has been far less than required. We therefore encourage increased and sustained international funding to support humanitarian aid efforts in South Sudan. As we reiterate our call for enhanced humanitarian funding for South Sudan, we also underline our call for South Sudan to ensure an enabling environment that will facilitate the access, protection and unhindered movement of humanitarian workers throughout the country. We urge the Government of South Sudan to actively pursue measures that guarantee the protection of, and respect for, humanitarian staff, installations and operations, which are vital to allowing delivery of the needed humanitarian assistance. The safety and security of aid workers — both national and international — and aid supplies and assets must be guaranteed and respected. Aid workers must be free to work wherever assistance is needed, without fear of attack or restrictions being placed on them by parties to the conflict. Noting the overall picture presented by the 90-day report on the situation in South Sudan, we believe that South Sudan stands at the cusp of a turning point — one that may usher in a moment of national unity and sustainable development or a relapse into another cycle of violence, derailing a carefully crafted peace agreement and power-sharing measures that allow for peaceful coexistence. The continued presence of UNMISS remains critical to the facilitation of peaceful engagement and to averting further violence. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I now give the floor to the representative of South Sudan.

The Republic of South Sudan wishes to express its sincere appreciation to the Security Council for its continued engagement and support for the peace process and stability and development in our country. We also thank Under-Secretary-General Lacroix, Executive Director Bahous and the civil society representative. I cannot say enough about Mr. Lacroix, given the many trips he has taken to South Sudan and the many conversations he has had with our Government officials. We appreciate him, and we know that the peace operation is going through a critical juncture at the moment, but with all of our support, we will continue to overcome it. The Government of South Sudan reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the full implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. Despite the numerous challenges that all here have mentioned, the Revitalized Peace Agreement remains the only way out of the transition and the only way to stability in South Sudan. We remain steadfast in pursuing peace, reconciliation and institutional reform of our Government so that we can complete this transitional period, including the unification of the armed forces, judicial reform and the establishment of key transitional institutions. The recent administrative changes within the Government structure have been carried out in accordance with South Sudan’s sovereign prerogative and national laws. These adjustments are intended to enhance efficiency, promote accountability and ensure stability during the transition. We categorically reject any characterization of these measures as undermining the peace process. Rather, they are part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen governance and promote inclusivity at all levels. The Government of South Sudan remains committed to maintaining the permanent ceasefire and reiterates that the Government does not condone attacks against humanitarian workers or United Nations personnel. We call upon the signatories to the peace agreement to exercise restraint, refrain from inflammatory actions and re-engage constructively through the mechanism established under the Revitalized Agreement, which we see as the only way out of this transitional period and towards a stable nation. Individuals who have been charged or are the subject of court proceedings must not take away from the continuation of the Revitalized Agreement. The Government recognizes the magnitude of the humanitarian challenges facing our nation. The effects of climate change, regional instability and the conflict in neighbouring Sudan, to mention a few, continue to hinder our situation in the country, but we continue to welcome as many humanitarians as we can. And, with the limited resources we have had, we have welcomed everybody from the Sudan, opened our borders and remained very neutral in respect of the crisis in the Sudan, and we intend to continue to do so. We condemn any attacks on humanitarian workers and emphasize that perpetrators of such acts will be held accountable under South Sudanese law. The Government of South Sudan reaffirms its dedication to advancing women’s participation in the national Government and state governments. While the 35 per South Sudan remains committed to partnering with the United Nations and appreciates the continued presence and support of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). We take note of the current financial constraints affecting peacekeeping operations and urge that any adjustments to the structure or presence of UNMISS be carried out in close consultation with the Government of South Sudan and in a manner that preserves the Mission’s ability to fulfil its mandate. We also reiterate the importance of mutual respect for the status-of-forces agreement and the sovereignty of South Sudan. The Government will continue to engage with UNMISS leadership to resolve any operational challenges through constructive dialogue. For a start, when the Government suggested the 17 points for UNMISS to remain in the three capitals of Juba, Malakal and Wau, this was meant in good faith and with stability in mind. It was not in any way a condition for UNMISS to continue its work. We understand that South Sudan stands today at a critical juncture. We are determined not to return to conflict but to move forward towards a lasting peace, unity and development. We therefore call on our regional and international partners to continue their support. We understand that this has been a very long process, but as we always say, peace is never a race that will end but a process that will continue. With everyone’s support here at the United Nations, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, we continue to appreciate every step that has been taken, every visit that has been undertaken to South Sudan and every phone call that has been made. Let us work together to ensure that South Sudan’s transitional period concludes in peace, stability and democratic renewal, in the interests of the people of South Sudan and the broader region.

There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. I now invite Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussion of the subject.