S/PV.10139 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: Ms. Anita Kiki Gbeho, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan; and Mr. Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary- General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I now give the floor to Ms. Gbeho. Ms. Gbeho: I thank you, Madam President, for the opportunity to brief the Security Council on the situation in South Sudan. This is my first briefing since my appointment by the Secretary-General on 10 April, and I am grateful to the Council for its confidence at this critical moment. I assume this role with a clear sense of purpose: to lead a mission that is responsive to a changing and challenging context, grounded in partnership and focused on delivering effective support to the peace process, protecting civilians and reinforcing stability in South Sudan. I would also like to pay tribute to my predecessor, our dearly missed colleague and true friend of South Sudan, the late Nicholas "Fink" Haysom. On behalf of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), I extend my deepest condolences to his family and express our profound gratitude for his leadership. We remain committed to carrying forward his legacy. Since the most recent mandate renewal, the operating environment has become more complex. Political tensions, escalating security incidents and humanitarian pressures increasingly reinforce one another. Economic stress, climate-related shocks and the spillover from the conflict in the Sudan compound these challenges. As outlined in the Secretary-General’s report, unilateral political decisions have continued to affect the functioning of transitional institutions. At the same time, there have been areas of progress in which political will aligned. The recent completion of civic education and public consultations by the National Constitutional Review Commission in 10 states and one administrative area with UNMISS support is one such example. The security situation remains deeply concerning. Fighting between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition, particularly in Jonglei, has intensified and in some cases been accompanied by inflammatory rhetoric. Civilians continue to bear the brunt. The UNMISS human rights division reports a 40 per cent increase in deaths and injuries in 2025 as compared to 2024. The aerial bombardment of a hospital in Lankien illustrates the human cost of the current trajectory. Intercommunal violence also persists in parts of the Equatorias, Bahr el- Ghazal and Warrap, driven by cattle raiding, land disputes and retaliatory attacks. As the Emergency Relief Coordinator will note in his briefing, humanitarian needs continue to grow. Nearly 10 million people need some form of humanitarian assistance. Since late December 2025, more than 276,000 people have been displaced in Jonglei alone, and more than 110,000 have fled into Ethiopia. Insecurity and operational constraints are increasingly limiting access to those most in need. These developments coincide with a period of significant adjustment for UNMISS. The implementation of the contingency plan has resulted in a 25 to 30 per cent reduction in operational capacity. A smaller geographic footprint has required sharper prioritization and a recalibration of how the Mission delivers its mandate. Political engagement, physical protection activities and humanitarian facilitation are being more deeply integrated. The Mission continues to refine its protection strategy to focus on areas where a mobile presence has the greatest preventive impact. For example, in Upper Nile, the redesignation of the Malakal protection of civilians site following a mandated review has enabled a shift from static duties to expanded patrolling. This includes escorts for humanitarian actors along the Nile. Even with reduced capacity, UNMISS remains a critical enabler of life-saving assistance. Recent experience in Akobo and Abiemnom illustrates both the Mission’s continued relevance and the constraints that it faces. In both locations, violence escalated during planned drawdown phases, prompting UNMISS to temporarily extend its presence to address protection risks. These measures helped to prevent further escalation and enabled humanitarian access. However, they are not financially sustainable under current budget parameters. Also, diminished mine action capacity has limited the Mission’s ability to clear explosive hazards while simultaneously supporting patrols and site security. This has resulted in delays in responding to humanitarian requests in high-risk areas such as Jonglei. Together, these examples underscore the protection and humanitarian trade-offs now confronting the Mission. Reduced capacity has also limited engagement with local authorities, traditional leaders and communities, affecting early warning, confidence-building and visibility. Over time, these gaps risk eroding trust and increasing the likelihood of misinformation. Despite constraints, the Mission has sustained credible human rights monitoring and reporting. This has contributed to tangible outcomes, including improvements in detention oversight and the release of individuals held arbitrarily. Through mobile and special courts, UNMISS continues to support access to justice in areas where formal institutions have long been absent. UNMISS thereby helps to reduce cycles of retaliatory violence and rebuild confidence in State authority. The challenges facing South Sudan cannot be resolved through military means. A sustained political pathway anchored in inclusive dialogue remains essential. There is broad agreement across political actors, civil society, women, youth and communities on the need for a peaceful transition even as views differ on sequencing and modalities — particularly on the how rather than the why. In this regard, regional engagement is critical. I welcome the appointment of His Excellency former President Kikwete as the African Union High Representative for the Horn of Africa Region, which has injected momentum into efforts to reenergize political dialogue. UNMISS continues to support these efforts within the African Union-Intergovernmental Authority on Development-United Nations trilateral framework, helping to promote coherence and reduce fragmentation. As the Security Council deliberates on the renewal of the UNMISS mandate, it is important to recognize the dilemma we collectively face. The scale and urgency of needs on the ground are not yet matched by the type of sustained commitment and investment required to meet the ambition of a sustainable path to peace. This calls for careful consideration of how the Mission is positioned to help to mitigate, in a transformative manner, the conditions that allow violence to reoccur, and to reinforce political solutions over coercive ones. Preserving the Mission’s ability to support protection, prevention and political engagement, including through realistic support for the creation of conditions for a credible end to the transition, will be essential. That does not diminish the responsibility of the South Sudanese leaders to implement the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, particularly as the country approaches the fifteenth anniversary of its independence. I therefore encourage the Government to embrace peace and take demonstrable steps to gain confidence and meet the aspirations of its people. I also encourage the Council to continue its unified support for a political pathway consistent with the February Declaration of the African Union High-level Ad Hoc Committee for South Sudan, including an immediate ceasefire, inclusive dialogue and conditions conducive to credible elections.

I thank Ms. Gbeho for her briefing. I now give the floor to Mr. Fletcher. Mr. Fletcher: I pay a warm tribute to the legendary Mr. Nicholas Haysom and, in particular, extend a warm welcome to our outstanding colleague, Ms. Anita Kiki Gbeho, as our new Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan. When visiting South Sudan a few weeks ago, I was told time and again of a feeling of despair and abandonment — and for good reason. The world’s youngest nation stands at a dangerous crossroads: conflict, displacement, hunger, disease and attacks on aid workers are all up, and funding is down. Two out of every three people need humanitarian support this year, yet the highly prioritized $1.46 billion humanitarian response plan is only 22 per cent funded. The scale of that despair is most acutely felt in places such as Jonglei State in the north-east, where I spent much of my week. Let me illustrate the challenges there. Since late December, renewed fighting has forced more than a quarter of a million people to flee across multiple States, with another 110,000 fleeing into Ethiopia. In the town of Akobo, violence has forced aid workers out, cutting communities off from our help when they need it most. When our inter-agency team returned to the area two weeks ago, they found more than 140,000 people in dire need of help in the surrounding areas of Akobo county, with humanitarian compounds looted and nutrition centres destroyed. Barely a week later, last weekend, renewed violence in and around Akobo displaced many of those whom we had just assessed yet again, further challenging our ability to provide critical help. I visited Akobo Hospital. In late February, it was serving more than 100,000 people, including an 18-month-old boy, Kuol, who was found with gunshot wounds in both limbs and was receiving daily physiotherapy to recover. The International Committee of the Red Cross surgeon, Médecins sans frontières colleagues and South Sudanese doctors there told me that they operate on countless gunshot wounds. They often have to amputate because patients walk long distances to get treatment and their wounds, of course, get infected. A few weeks later, I am afraid, that hospital was stripped bare. Medicines, equipment and beds — a lifeline for an entire community — are all gone, and many of those whom I met are dead. According to the World Health Organization, 1.35 million people across Jonglei State have lost access to healthcare after 26 facilities were destroyed or forced to close. Cholera is on the rise, and measles persists. In Jonglei, I met families who had been uprooted time and again. Women told me that they had fled extreme violence and that their homes had been burned down. One woman said that people had been slaughtered like goats. I met a grandmother who had carried her 19-year-old granddaughter, who was born paralysed, for days as they fled the fighting. Their story was not unique. Many whom I met in Akobo described carrying the elderly during their escape, while others pushed family members with disabilities in wheelbarrows along the way. That is what it looks like when parties defy their obligations to protect civilians and undermine the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. Like Ms. Gbeho, I fear that the closure of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan’s temporary base in Akobo this month because of funding shortfalls will exacerbate existing security gaps. That could, in turn, undermine prospects for returns, contribute to further displacement and limit our humanitarian support even further. The situation in Upper Nile State, in the north-east corner of the country, is just as alarming. Fighting, access restrictions and interference with our operations are all blocking aid. In parallel, the war in the Sudan — in the Kordofan region, just across the border — is pushing more people into South Sudan, including 439,000 Sudanese refugees and 917,000 returnees. I met South Sudanese returnees who had made the journey from Khartoum to Malakal, in Upper Nile State, and they described the harassment, assault and looting they encountered along the way. Now they are trying to reach their villages and families, but insecurity, access constraints and a lack of support are holding them back. In the town of Renk, more than 30,000 people have arrived in just three months, almost two thirds of whom are women. Thousands are stuck in a transit centre with limited basic services. We are hearing reports of older people dying due to severe malnutrition. Hunger across South Sudan is tightening its grip. Emergency levels of food insecurity — phase 4 of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification — are expected for some populations across all of South Sudan’s 10 States during the lean season from now through July. I therefore fear that my next briefing to the Security Council on South Sudan will speak of famine. More than 7.5 million people will need food assistance this year. All of this is unfolding as floods are expected to continue, cutting communities off and hitting livelihoods once again. In the midst of these challenges, I pay a huge tribute to the humanitarians who are delivering assistance. We face hostilities, red tape, checkpoints along key routes imposing high fees, the denial of air access, the expulsion of aid workers, funding cuts and constant life-and-death decisions. Nevertheless, wherever we can reach people, we are scaling up food, health, nutrition, shelter and protection. In Jonglei alone, more than 113,000 people have already received food just this year. Partners have provided over 14 tons of emergency health supplies and thousands of water, sanitation and hygiene kits. Air operations, including through the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS), remain a critical lifeline. I recently allocated $13 million to support UNHAS flights in the country. We are also scaling up anticipatory action and prepositioning supplies ahead of the expected flooding. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan also continues to play a vital role through its security presence and in facilitating our critical humanitarian operations. To prevent South Sudan from sliding towards full-scale famine and collapse, I call on the Council to take three decisive and immediate actions. First, the Council must press for rapid and unhindered humanitarian access, including the immediate removal of red tape, checkpoints and high fees, and the guarantee of predictable and sustained air access. Secondly, the Council must swiftly step up flexible funding, especially throughout this lean season. Thirdly, the Council must use its influence on the parties to demand full respect for international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians and infrastructure, to support renewed political efforts to strengthen adherence to ceasefire agreements and to move towards the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement. Humanitarian action can save lives, but, as I underscored to the President and his team, only peace can end this crisis.

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

I thank our briefers today. Before turning to the situation on the ground, the American people would like to honour Nicholas Haysom, whose passing is a true loss to the United Nations. He spent a lifetime pushing this institution to live up to its purpose — keeping the peace and delivering for those who need it most. Mr. Haysom’s warning to the Council should ring in our ears even now. He was very clear: the tragedy of South Sudan is not a lack of agreements; it is a lack of political will to implement them. The gap between what we say, decide or think in the Council and what actually happens on the ground cannot be overstated. The people of South Sudan will sleep no better, or no worse, depending on the statements we make today. It is up to their Government to change course, right the ship and chart a better future. The American people remain deeply concerned about the security situation in South Sudan. We urge the Council to remember what happened in Akobo in March. On 6 March, President Kiir Mayardit’s Government gave 270,000 people — including mothers, children and grandparents — just 72 hours to leave the place where they laid their heads. Whatever they may say, their goal was not to protect innocents, but to scorch their homes, land and basic necessities. Humanitarian workers described uniformed troops burning entire settlements to the ground. Families fled with nothing. Their water sources were contaminated. Women and girls were subjected to violence as a weapon of war. Let us be clear that such actions cannot be characterized as a mere security operation. They were abhorrent and inexcusable. We unequivocally condemn President Kiir Mayardit’s course of action and the transitional Government’s 6 March evacuation orders for the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), humanitarian agencies and civilians. President Kiir Mayardit’s actions are leading South Sudan towards renewed civil war by prioritizing unilateral control over peace, the protection of civilians and national stability. This is the behaviour of a government seeking to consolidate power at any cost, not one seeking reconciliation, stability or the protection of its own people. This is a behaviour of a government failing to uphold the basic duties of government, which are to maintain its stability and protect its people. South Sudanese leaders are systematically obstructing UNMISS’s mandate and undermining international peace efforts. This is not an isolated phenomenon, but part of a broader, deeper and troubling pattern of obstruction and exploitation of international assistance. South Sudanese leaders can choose to cooperate with UNMISS, serve their people, work with each of our countries in good faith and work to put an end to this carnage — but they do not. Instead, they make UNMISS’s work nearly impossible and suspend catastrophe because they know it is good for them. Such systematic obstructions cost UNMISS and each of our taxpayers millions of dollars. Blockage of UNMISS repatriation flights and the subsequent forced closure of at least three UNMISS bases demonstrate blatant disregard for cooperation. Between January and March alone, UNMISS recorded more than 80 incidents involving violations of the status-of-forces agreement, and, in the months prior, from October to December 2025, there were more than 400 such incidents recorded. We will not support a mandate that simply preserves the status quo while civilians are targeted and peacekeepers are sidelined. Accordingly, given the realities on the ground, the United States supports narrowed mandate priorities that are realistic and achievable: civilian protection, humanitarian assistance, human rights reporting, zero tolerance for obstruction, transparent reporting and meaningful accountability. UNMISS leadership must also significantly improve its protection-of-civilian efforts. According to a June 2025 report issued by the Office of Internal Oversight Services, 80 per cent of Mission patrols remained within five kilometres of its bases. High violence areas like Jonglei received even fewer patrols. That is not peacekeeping, but benchwarming on our dime. We strongly call on UNMISS leadership to provide transparent and accurate reporting to the Council on where the Mission is succeeding and where it is falling short, so that we can make informed decisions. The people of South Sudan do not need another year of process. They do not even need our statements today. They need protection and leaders who will actually work for them. The Council must hold South Sudan’s leaders accountable and ensure that this Mission is equipped and willing to beat this moment.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the three African members of the Security Council — namely Liberia, Somalia and my own country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (A3). We congratulate Ms. Anita Kiki Gbeho, the newly appointed Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan, and thank her and Under- Secretary-General Tom Fletcher, for their comprehensive and pertinent updates. The A3 welcomes Her Excellency Ms. Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Liberia, and we welcome the presence of the representative of South Sudan at this meeting. The A3 remains deeply concerned about the political, security and humanitarian situation in South Sudan. The country is enduring one of its most difficult periods since the signing of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, in 2018. The human toll of this instability is heavy and unacceptable. According to reporting cited in the Secretary-General’s most recent report on South Sudan, more than 2,200 civilians were killed in 2025, in addition to more than 500 abductions and nearly 250 cases of conflict-related sexual violence. Alarmingly, violations against civilians in the first quarter of 2026 represents the highest level seen in several years, with the States of Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile once again bearing a disproportionate burden. Those figures are not abstract, but reflect shattered lives, devastated communities and a population living under constant threat. Clearly, the needs regarding the protection of civilians remain immediate, critical and vital. The A3 wishes to express its deep appreciation for the dedication and sacrifices of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) personnel, who continue to operate in one of the most volatile environments on the Council’s agenda. Peacekeeping in South Sudan remains essential, not optional, and its relevance is measured not by the form it takes, but by its impact on the ground. In that regard, the A3 underscores that the effectiveness of peacekeeping relies on clear objectives, a focused operational effort and adequate resources. In complex environments, missions must be fully empowered to fulfil their core operational imperatives, including the protection of civilians, the facilitation of humanitarian access and support for the implementation of agreed peace frameworks. The effectiveness of peacekeeping should therefore not be understood as a constraint, but as the guarantee of coherence between mandates, expectations and capabilities, so that peacekeepers can act decisively where the risks are highest and the consequences most serious. Africa asks only that the United Nations to act in a useful manner — with credibility, effectiveness and at scale. When expectations rise without resources keeping pace, the risk is not merely an institutional inconvenience, but diminished protection for civilians. The A3 therefore insists that budgetary support for UNMISS must be commensurate with the scale, complexity and dangers of its operational environment. Ambitious mandates must be accompanied by predictable funding, adequate mobility, sufficient operational capabilities and political support. Any failure to meet this obligation risks compromising the effectiveness of UNMISS precisely in those areas where failure carries irreversible human consequences. The A3 reaffirms that peacekeeping cannot be a substitute for political leadership. The primary responsibility for promoting peace lies with the South Sudanese themselves. In this regard, we welcome and strongly support the strengthened commitment of the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. We particularly welcome the appointment of former President Jakaya Kikwete as the African Union’s High Representative for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, with South Sudan as his priority mandate. His leadership, experience and credibility offer a valuable opportunity to reinvigorate political engagement, strengthen regional cohesion and promote a lasting political solution. The A3 urges the Council and international partners to strongly support these African-led efforts. The A3 also emphasizes that elections remain a key component of South Sudan’s long-term stabilization and democratic trajectory. However, we recognize that elections must be approached responsibly and with due regard to the context. Although not all the necessary conditions may yet be in place, the ultimate goal must be an electoral process that produces a legitimate leadership and helps to create an environment in which democracy, stability and public confidence can take root. Elections should therefore be based on improved security conditions, the protection of civilians, political inclusivity and strong regional and international support. They must not be disconnected from the realities on the ground. In conclusion, the A3 reaffirms its commitment to African unity, African ownership and the protection of African lives. The people of South Sudan deserve a peacekeeping mission that is fully supported, equipped with adequate operational resources and capable of taking action where it matters most. The A3 reaffirms its willingness to work constructively with all members of the Council to support an UNMISS mandate with clear objectives, which is adequately resourced and equipped to address the profound challenges facing South Sudan today.

I now call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Liberia.

Let me first thank the Democratic Republic of the Congo for the statement on behalf of the African members of the Security Council (A3), with which Liberia is fully aligned. As the A3, we stand together in support of the people of South Sudan. Let me at this moment also mention the loss of Nicholas Fink Haysom, a man with whom I served in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). I worked closely with Fink, a man who served Africa and served humankind through an illustrious career and one whose memory we honour for his service. Let me also thank Anita Kiki Gbeho and congratulate her on her new role as Special Representative of the Secretary-General. I thank her for her briefing, and I thank Tom Fletcher for his briefing as well. Besides having served in South Sudan in the peacekeeping mission, UNMISS, and having served as United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, I was invited to South Sudan by the Government of South Sudan in March and I had the privilege of going to Juba again and meeting key stakeholders, including the troika, the Government and the United Nations. Let me say that for Liberia, it is important to speak in our national capacity, to add to what the A3 has said together as one unified A3, adding that Liberia campaigned for this non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council with five thematic areas as a priority. One of the priorities was United Nations Security Council reform, including peacekeeping reform. It is important for us to use this opportunity to speak to the issue of peacekeeping reform. We believe in the effectiveness of UNMISS and that that effectiveness depends on the discipline of the mandate, clarity of purpose and sustained support for the Mission’s core responsibilities. First, the primacy of core peacekeeping functions must remain non-negotiable. The protection of civilians, facilitation of humanitarian access and support for the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan are foundational tasks of UNMISS. These are not optional activities. They are the core determinants of the Mission’s legitimacy, relevance and impact. Secondly, protection of civilians must remain central in terms of the benchmark for success. All mandate elements should be assessed against their direct contribution to civilian protection. Robust proactive and mobile protection, particularly in high-risk and conflict-affected areas, must continue to guide operational planning, posture and resource allocation. Thirdly, let us be clear, as the United Nations, UNMISS is not alone in South Sudan. There is a United Nations country team in South Sudan as well. At this height of criticality for peacekeeping and the need for protection of civilians, where should UNMISS focus and where should the agencies, funds and programmes further take up their core responsibilities to ensure that we do not duplicate efforts, thereby diluting our peacekeeping focus? There are functions best served by the United Nations country team and I think, as we look at the renewal of UNMISS’ mandate, we need to have those discussions around who is best placed to do what. Not abandoning South Sudan, standing with the South Sudanese, but looking at the totality of the United Nations complement in South Sudan and making sure that areas in which United Nations actors from the development system are already acting remain the focus for those agencies, funds and programmes so that the peacekeeping Mission can focus on its core functions. Who is best placed to take forward areas such as gender equality, climate, transitional justice and so forth? Fourthly, the Council must avoid mandate congestion and never expand a mandate unsupported by commensurate resources and capacities or risk operational overstretch, financial strain and strategic ambiguity. Peacekeeping missions are most effective when their priorities are limited, clear and achievable. Fifthly, mandate renewals must be grounded in reality. Regular reviews should be informed by conditions on the ground, measurable benchmarks and available capacities. Liberia wishes to underscore that a streamlined and focused mandate is not a limitation, it is a strategic strength. Focus enhances accountability, sharpens operational effectiveness and ensures that scarce resources are directed towards saving lives and stabilizing conditions where risks are greatest. It is not a failure of the international community. It actually is a strength of the international community where we can look at our full capacity in South Sudan and look at where resources are necessary to support the protection of civilians. UNMISS requires resources to protect civilians. UNMISS requires resources to ensure that its core mandate is carried out, and we cannot abandon the people of South Sudan by abandoning support for UNMISS. Nevertheless, where should UNMISS focus? Liberia emphasizes that everything that UNMISS requires to achieve its objectives must be fully supported: operational mobility, sustained political backing and, definitely, the political will required for it to achieve its objectives. We welcome the continued African Union (AU) and Intergovernmental Authority on Development support for South Sudan and the appointment of the AU Special Envoy, as the A3 has already said, and we stand ready to engage constructively to support an UNMISS mandate that is adequately resourced, focused and fit for purpose. The people of South Sudan need us in this Chamber. I stayed in South Sudan. I lived with South Sudanese to the point where I went from South Sudan to Liberia with a support system from South Sudan. I support the South Sudanese woman who took care of me during my medical procedures and who suffered after leaving South Sudan, and I also support her family. I am connected to the South Sudanese, and I speak in that capacity to say today that the South Sudanese need us. They need UNMISS, they need the humanitarian actors, and they need the United Nations development system. In this conversation on renewal of the mandate, we must ensure that we look at the totality of the United Nations and look at what each agency, fund and programme must focus on to make sure that we journey with the South Sudanese to democracy, to elections and to a better life. They deserve prosperity.

I would like to begin by acknowledging the work carried out by Mr. Nicholas Haysom, former Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), whose leadership shaped the Mission’s commitment to the protection of civilians and the political process. My condolences go to his family and friends. I would like to thank Special Representative Gbeho and Mr. Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, for their briefings, which highlight the alarming political and security situation in South Sudan as it enters the final year of the transitional period. We face a critical situation: on the one hand, the persistence of ceasefire violations and the erosion of political trust are, to an alarming extent, increasing the risk of a relapse into large-scale conflict, with devastating effects for the civilian population. On the other hand, humanitarian access has deteriorated rapidly, with operational challenges in various areas and situations that endanger aid workers. Bearing this state of affairs in mind, progress must be made on four priorities for stabilization and peace. First, there is a need to support mediation efforts, such as the African Union High-level Ad Hoc Committee for South Sudan, in order to uphold the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan and facilitate political dialogue. Colombia knows that international support and engagement are essential to achieving a stable and lasting peace — a peace that also requires clear leadership and participation from national actors. Making progress towards holding elections and re-establishing democratic institutions is crucial. Secondly, recognizing the role of the United Nations, UNMISS remains a central pillar of stabilization and of the protection of civilians. Despite the challenges that it faces, including the recent events in Akobo, the Mission has decided to maintain its presence, saving lives, reducing tensions and facilitating humanitarian access. It is essential for the Council to strengthen the Mission politically and technically, equipping it with autonomy and capabilities. Thirdly, there is a need to promote a comprehensive peace that addresses the various aspects of the conflict and moves away from purely military approaches. On the one hand, the recent report clearly sounds the alarm about how the humanitarian crisis is being exacerbated by persistent flooding, which is leading to forced displacement and, in turn, damaging crops, thereby increasing the risk of hunger and food insecurity. Colombia strongly emphasizes that the climate, peace and security component must remain integral not only to UNMISS’s operations, but also to the local response strategies implemented by the authorities. Fourthly, the report once again alerts us to the disproportionate impact of the conflict on women and girls and to the marked increase in gender-based violence and the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. Incorporating and safeguarding gender components, not only in the aforementioned mediation efforts, but also in UNMISS’s actions on the ground are unavoidable imperatives, both to consolidate immediate deescalation measures and to achieve sustainable peace. Our position is clear: we reaffirm our commitment to a peaceful, inclusive and stable South Sudan, convinced that sustained international support, alongside effective and coordinated regional mediation, remains crucial to turning that aspiration into concrete realities on the ground. Peace processes like the one in Colombia show that lasting agreements integrate territorial, gender and environmental approaches, aligning security, development and human rights to bridge structural divides and prevent relapses into violence. To achieve this, the triad of national authorities, international support and a strengthened Mission must be preserved.

I congratulate Special Representative of the Secretary-General Gbeho on her appointment and thank her and Under-Secretary- General Fletcher for their briefings and clear steps. I also pay tribute to the predecessor of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, the late Nicholas “Fink” Haysom, for his extraordinary contribution to the United Nations and the cause of peace. In the context of this fragile and deteriorating situation, I will make three points: first, on calling for the protection of civilians; secondly, on the importance of an inclusive political dialogue; and thirdly, on the critical role of the United Nations peacekeeping mission. First, as we have heard very clearly from the briefers today, the continued fighting between the two main parties to the peace agreement is displacing civilians and compounding an already acute humanitarian crisis. The Secretary-General’s reporting highlights serious human rights violations and abuses, including conflict‑related sexual violence and the recruitment of children. In Akobo, civilians have been killed, hundreds of thousands displaced, and infrastructure destroyed, exacerbating the suffering of the South Sudanese people. We call on South Sudan’s leaders to comply with their obligations under international law, including the protection of civilians, and to allow unhindered humanitarian access to reach those in need. Secondly, the United Kingdom recognizes that the only solution to the current crisis in South Sudan is through the immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders, including the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition, led by First Vice-President Riek Machar. We welcome the appointment of the African Union (AU) Special Envoy, former President Kikwete, and the close cooperation between the United Nations, the AU, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and other stakeholders, including the Troika, to support a resolution to the current crisis. We strongly urge the transitional Government and other parties to fully engage with these efforts and heed the appeals from the international community to return to the political process. Thirdly, we underscore and praise the vital role played by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). It is regrettable that the South Sudanese authorities have continued to obstruct the Mission’s ability to deliver its mandate in full. This prevents the Mission delivering necessary tasks, including the protection of civilians, and supporting humanitarian assistance in volatile and hard-to-reach areas. We call on the transitional Government to cooperate fully with UNMISS. As the Council considers the mandate for the Mission, we will need to ensure that it is credible, deliverable and responsive to conditions on the ground.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Anita Kiki Gbeho and Under-Secretary-General Tom Fletcher for their briefings, and I extend a warm welcome to Her Excellency Ms. Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Liberia, to this meeting. I congratulate Ms. Gbeho on her appointment as Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and wish her every success as she assumes this responsibility at a particularly difficult moment for South Sudan. We also pay tribute to the late Nicholas Haysom and honour his lifetime of steadfast service to global peace and most recently to South Sudan. As we approach the renewal of the UNMISS mandate, let me highlight three points. First, it is deeply regrettable that the Revitalized Peace Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan continues to unravel. Unilateral decisions, coupled with inflammatory rhetoric, have deepened mistrust between the parties and further narrowed the space for an inclusive transition. This is not only a political setback; it is driving violence on the ground and exposing civilians to ever-greater security and humanitarian risks. For example, in Abiemnom, armed Bul Nuer militia killed 178 people, including 132 civilians, in an attack marked by indiscriminate shooting, the burning of homes and pillaging. In Nasir County, the killing of a contract worker for the World Food Programme showed that, once again, humanitarian workers are also paying the price of escalating violence. We condemn those attacks in the strongest terms. International humanitarian law and the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution must be respected by all actors at all times. We are also deeply concerned by the dangerous precedent set in Akobo, where UNMISS and humanitarian actors were requested to leave ahead of military operations. At a time of rising risk, this is deeply irresponsible. The Government’s recent commitment to ensuring unhindered humanitarian access and the safety of humanitarian personnel must now be translated into concrete action across the country. Those responsible for grave violations against civilians and humanitarian personnel must be identified and held accountable, including through targeted sanctions where appropriate and necessary. Secondly, the protection of civilians is the core priority of the UNMISS mandate. Human rights monitoring and reporting, as well as women and peace and security and conflict peace and security capabilities, help to make that priority real. Fighting a fire no longer relies only on ladders and buckets, but also on smoke alarms, protective gear, evacuation protocols and thermal imaging. The same applies to peacekeeping. In South Sudan, that means understanding the specific risks faced by women and girls, including conflict-related sexual violence. Recently verified conflict-related sexual violence cases, including 18 attributed to the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces, are a stark reminder that women and girls face some of the gravest harms in this conflict. It also means recognizing how the adverse effects of climate change are linked to stability and compound insecurity. With approximately 70 per cent of the country’s territory affected by flooding, protection becomes harder when roads turn to mud, access is cut off, and entire areas are underwater. Thirdly, the regional track remains indispensable. We welcome the continued engagement of the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, South Africa, Kenya and others in support of dialogue, de-escalation and a credible political path forward. We also welcome the appointment of former President Jakaya Kikwete as the African Union’s High Representative for the Horn of Africa Region. Those efforts matter, but they must now translate into sustained and coordinated leverage on the parties. Latvia remains committed to supporting UNMISS and to working with Council members and regional partners in support of peace, the protection of civilians and a credible political path forward in South Sudan.

I start by paying tribute to the late Nicholas Haysom, former Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan, for his contribution to the United Nations. I welcome Ms. Gbeho in her new capacity as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and thank her for her briefing. We are confident that her leadership will further strengthen the Mission’s efforts at this critical juncture. I also thank Under-Secretary-General Fletcher for his informative briefing. Greece remains deeply concerned by the continued deterioration of the political, security and humanitarian situation in South Sudan, as outlined in the Secretary- General’s latest report. Allow me to highlight three key points. First, the political situation remains fragile and increasingly concerning. The Secretary-General’s report points to continued unilateral actions, the weakening of inclusive governance and a persistent lack of political will to engage in meaningful dialogue. Those developments risk undermining the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, which remains the cornerstone of the transition. At the same time, preparations for elections, scheduled for December, are progressing in an environment marked by limited political space, insufficient resources and growing mistrust among the parties. Without genuine inclusivity, legal clarity and adequate security conditions, the prospects for credible and peaceful elections remain uncertain. We remain concerned about the continued detention of senior political figures, including Vice-President Riek Machar. Such actions risk further exacerbating tensions and undermining trust among the parties. Secondly, we are alarmed by the sharp deterioration of the security situation, particularly in Jonglei state. Intensified fighting, including the use of heavy weapons and aerial bombardments, has resulted in significant civilian casualties, widespread displacement and increased intercommunal violence. Reports of targeted attacks against civilians, including women and children, as well as incidents of conflictrelated sexual violence are deeply disturbing. The scale and gravity of those violations underscore the urgent need for all parties to uphold international humanitarian and human rights law and to ensure accountability for perpetrators. We are equally concerned about the increasing restrictions on UNMISS operations, including movement constraints and incidents affecting the safety of United Nations personnel. We call for the lifting of all restrictions on UNMISS and its operations. Such actions hinder the Mission’s ability to effectively implement its mandate, particularly in the protection of civilians. Thirdly, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate at an alarming rate. Nearly 10 million people are projected to require humanitarian assistance, driven by ongoing conflict, displacement, disease outbreaks and climate-related shocks. Access constraints, attacks on humanitarian workers and severe funding gaps further compound the crisis. We are particularly concerned by reports of looting of humanitarian supplies, destruction of health facilities and the continued obstruction of aid delivery. Those developments not only exacerbate human suffering but also undermine efforts to stabilize the country. In that context, we underscore that humanitarian assistance, while essential, cannot substitute for a political solution. Let me also express our strong support for UNMISS and its mandate. Despite significant resource constraints and a reduced operational footprint, the Mission continues to play a vital role in protecting civilians, supporting dialogue and facilitating humanitarian assistance. In view of the forthcoming renewal of its mandate on 29 April, it is essential that all parties fully cooperate with the Mission and uphold their obligations under the status-of-forces agreement. In conclusion, there is no military solution to the conflict. Greece reaffirms its strong commitment to the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of South Sudan. We underline that a South Sudanese-owned, inclusive and credible political process remains the sole viable path to achieving lasting peace and stability. We call on all South Sudanese stakeholders to demonstrate political will, cease hostilities and reengage in meaningful dialogue, placing the interests of the South Sudanese people at the centre of their efforts.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Gbeho and Under-Secretary-General Fletcher for their briefings. I would like to join in expressing condolences for the late Nicholas Haysom and wish the new Special Representative every success in her mission and assure her of France’s full support. Today’s briefing and the Secretary-General’s report confirm a negative trend in South Sudan, persisting month after month. The situation is deteriorating across the political, security, humanitarian and economic spheres. In this context, I will focus on three points. First, regrettably, the peace process centred on the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan continues to unravel. The political balance envisaged by that Agreement is being increasingly disregarded. France joins the African Union in calling on the South Sudanese authorities to withdraw the charges brought against individuals detained for political reasons, including First Vice-President Riek Machar. We express our support for regional mediation efforts, in particular the appointment of former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete as the African Union’s High Representative for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea. As confidence in the peace process erodes, fragmentation is increasing, fuelling intercommunal violence. Only a political approach can succeed, namely, the resumption of dialogue and the renewed commitment of the signatories to the Revitalized Agreement in the peace process. In this regard, we call on the transitional Government to refrain from attempting to amend the Agreement unilaterally, as this undermines the peace process. Both the transitional Government and opposition actors must engage in good faith in implementing the Agreement. Secondly, elections represent the political horizon set out in the peace agreement, offering the prospect of ending the transition and achieving lasting peace that respects South Sudan’s sovereignty and the aspirations of its people. However, the peace agreement sets out certain conditions for the organization of elections, which have not yet been met. To ensure a fair and widely accepted electoral process, essential preparations must be completed, including a census, the drafting of a constitution and the unification of security forces. Furthermore, the South Sudanese transitional Government must mobilize the necessary resources to finance the elections once the conditions are met. Thirdly, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) continues to play an essential role in stabilizing the country. It must fully carry out its mandate to protect civilians, facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance and monitor human rights violations. To this end, we must provide the Mission with the means to fulfil its mandate. We call on the transitional Government to cooperate with the Mission and to fulfil its obligations under the status-of-forces agreement. Repeated obstructions to UNMISS operations are unacceptable. Moreover, without substituting for the South Sudanese authorities, UNMISS must continue to support the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, which remains the only viable political process in South Sudan. Where appropriate, the Mission must be able to assist in implementing the Agreement, thereby creating the political and security conditions necessary for its eventual withdrawal. The support of the United Nations can achieve much when combined with genuine political will on the part of the host State. France believes that the United Nations must continue to support South Sudan, and South Sudan must seize this opportunity to build a free and prosperous nation.

We thank Ms. Anita Kiki Gbeho, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for her briefing. We welcome her and wish her every success in leading the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). We also thank Mr. Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, for his briefing. We pay tribute to the late Mr. Nicholas Haysom and recognize his commitment and contribution to peace in South Sudan. We also welcome the representative of South Sudan to this meeting. We take note of the most recent report of the Secretary-General, which highlights the depth of the challenges confronting South Sudan at this critical moment in its history. Panama expresses grave concern regarding the escalation of violence in various regions of the country, in particular in Akobo, Jonglei and Upper Nile, where recent attacks against the civilian population and humanitarian personnel have had serious and unacceptable consequences. We strongly condemn these acts of violence, the cruelty and disregard for human life of which are deeply alarming, in particular when civilians are the primary targets. We reiterate that all parties have an obligation to protect civilians, respect international humanitarian law and ensure safe conditions for the work of humanitarian and United Nations personnel. We recognize the difficulties faced by a young nation in its process of institutional consolidation; however, this does not absolve the authorities or armed actors of their responsibility to protect the population. One year after the detention of First Vice-President Riek Machar, we observe a sustained deterioration in political trust and a progressive erosion of the gains achieved in the peace process. This, combined with unilateral decisions in contravention of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, has further weakened the implementation mechanisms and reduced the space for the democratic process. In this context, Panama highlights the essential role of the African Union and regional actors, whose mediation and support efforts remain crucial to containing the situation and sustaining the political space. The humanitarian and human rights situation continues to deteriorate, with alarming patterns of sexual and gender-based violence, acute malnutrition, mass displacement and a particularly severe impact on women, girls and children, who continue to be disproportionately affected by the conflict. Moreover, the reality on the ground is clear: recurrent flooding is causing displacement, destroying livelihoods and worsening food insecurity, while hindering the return of communities and increasing the risk of local conflicts over resources. It is therefore essential to support the Mission’s efforts to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change as a key component of protection and of the prevention of intercommunal tensions. Panama reiterates its full support for the United Nations Mission in South Sudan and recognizes the work of its civilian, military and police personnel under increasingly complex and volatile conditions. However, we are concerned about operational limitations resulting from budgetary constraints and contingency measures, which are restricting the Mission’s capacity to respond on the ground. With regard to the upcoming renewal of the Mission’s mandate, which expires in just 10 calendar days, we hope that all Council members will receive the proposed text in a timely manner, so as to enable a proper assessment of the Mission’s alignment with the needs on the ground and to allow the Mission to respond effectively to evolving circumstances and fulfil its obligation to protect civilians and provide humanitarian assistance. We call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for all armed actors to exercise maximum restraint. The people of South Sudan cannot continue to bear the consequences of political ambitions or the persistence of excessive violence. It is the responsibility of those in leadership positions in the country to act with restraint and to take decisions guided by the preservation of human life and the well-being of the people. Today more than ever, a genuine commitment is required to preserve the life and dignity of the people of South Sudan, who deserve stable and dignified conditions that enable them to build a better future and to advance the consolidation of the country’s present and future.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Gbeho and Under-Secretary-General Fletcher for their remarks, and I want to congratulate the Special Representative for taking up her new role. I would also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the late Special Representative Nicholas “Fink” Haysom, whose principled leadership and deep commitment to the people of South Sudan leave an enduring legacy. Continuous unilateral action by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement amounts to a direct assault on the principles and purposes of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. From sweeping reshuffles across State Government to the removal of opposition office holders at every level, with no progress on the unification of forces, these are deliberate choices. So, let us be direct: this is not a Government implementing a peace agreement; this is a Government systematically dismantling one. Without political will, legal clarity, the inclusion of all signatories and civic space for all, credible elections seem further out of reach. We call on President Mayardit to cease all unilateral actions and engage in genuine, inclusive inter-signatory dialogue without preconditions. We reiterate our call for the unconditional release of First Vice- President Machar and all political detainees. We also call on the United Nations to use its good offices actively to support regional actors in maintaining pressure for dialogue. Denmark welcomes the appointment of the new African Union High Representative for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea and calls for the harmonization of all peace tracks. The humanitarian toll for the people of South Sudan is catastrophic. As we heard, nearly 10 million require assistance, and 6 million face acute food insecurity. In some areas, such as Jonglei, access to humanitarian aid has been blocked by the authorities. The commitments made by President Mayardit in February on humanitarian access and the safety of aid workers must be implemented immediately, in line with resolution 2730 (2024), across the country. We condemn the widespread atrocities reported, including strikes on medical care facilities, rape and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence. Extrajudicial executions have also been reported, as well as a massacre in the Ruweng Administrative Area on 1 March, which killed more than 170 people. These violations of international humanitarian law must cease, and those responsible must be held accountable. We regret that the Hybrid Court for South Sudan, mandated by the Agreement and intended to investigate such violations, has yet to be established. Against this dire backdrop, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan is more indispensable than ever. Support for the implementation of the peace agreement, protection of civilians, humanitarian aid delivery and human rights monitoring and reporting are not separate tracks; they work in tandem and must all be resourced in full. The Mission’s recent decision to retain its presence in Akobo saved lives. Its actions against conflict-related sexual violence protect the most vulnerable from the most heinous crimes. Its reporting on climate-related security risks offers sustainable solutions for local resilience. Put simply, it is a lifeline for millions. Denmark therefore calls for a strong, robust renewal of the Mission’s mandate. In conclusion, the window for peaceful transition is still open, but political manoeuvring hampers any progress. The people of South Sudan have endured too much suffering for too long. It is past time for their well-being and their safety to be placed at the centre. The Security Council must respond with the clarity and purpose that this crisis demands.

At the outset, my delegation would like to join other colleagues in paying tribute to the late Special Representative of the Secretary- General Nicholas Haysom, whose life-long contribution to the United Nations and steadfast commitment to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the people of South Sudan reflected the highest ideals of international service. I also thank the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Anita Kiki Gbeho, and Under-Secretary-General Tom Fletcher for their briefings. We welcome the participation of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Liberia and thank her for sharing a unique perspective from her own experience in South Sudan. Pakistan shares the concerns over the political and security situation in South Sudan. Recent developments underscore the fragility of the peace process and the need for sustained engagement to prevent relapse. The Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan remains the only viable framework, yet progress on key benchmarks has slowed and, in some areas, reversed. Pakistan urges all stakeholders to recommit to the Revitalized Agreement’s full implementation through inclusive dialogue. We also recognize the important role of the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and stress close coordination between regional initiatives and the United Nations. As South Sudan moves towards the planned elections in December 2026, serious political, technical and financial challenges persist. Progress on transitional security arrangements and institutional preparations remains uneven, while economic and humanitarian pressures continue to weigh heavily. These realities underline the need for coherent support that helps create conditions for a credible transition. Against this backdrop, UNMISS remains indispensable. It saves lives and continues to play a vital stabilizing role amid political uncertainty, intercommunal tensions, humanitarian demands and regional spillover risks from the Sudan conflict. Its contribution to the protection of civilians and humanitarian access remains critical. Pakistan, as a troop-contributing country, remains committed to UNMISS and its mandate. In Bentiu, where more than 300,000 people remain affected by years of severe flooding, Pakistani blue helmets — engineers — have constructed and maintained more than 80 kilometres of protective dykes and berms, helping safeguard displaced communities and humanitarian supply routes. The Mission’s effectiveness also depends on cooperation from the host authorities, in line with the status-of-forces agreement. Restrictions on movement and other operational limitations can directly affect mandate delivery at a sensitive moment. We encourage the South Sudan Government to cooperate with UNMISS. The ongoing liquidity crisis is also affecting UNMISS mandate implementation, while year-long delays in reimbursements continue to place additional strain on troopand police-contributing countries. Predictable and sustainable financing for peacekeeping operations remains a shared responsibility essential to preserving the Mission’s operational effectiveness and maintenance of peace and security in South Sudan. Further, Pakistan believes that weakening UNMISS capacities at this stage would risk undermining protection of civilians efforts and reducing the Mission’s ability to support political stabilization. We advise against moving in that direction. Pakistan remains fully committed to supporting UNMISS and all efforts aimed at advancing durable peace and stability in South Sudan.

I would like to begin my statement by extending my condolences to the United Nations, the Government of South Africa and the family and friends of Nicholas Haysom — an outstanding person and a remarkable political figure, who made a significant contribution to promoting peace and justice in his country and throughout the world. We wish to thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Ms. Anita Kiki Gbeho, and Under-Secretary-General and Head of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Tom Fletcher, for their briefings. We welcome the participation of the representative of South Sudan in this meeting. We would like to take this opportunity to wish Ms. Gbeho every success in her new and very demanding position. The security situation in South Sudan does not bode well. Several northern States are seeing intensified clashes between Government forces and the opposition. The situation is most alarming in Jonglei State, where the national armed forces are continuing an operation to restore order and curb the activities of subversive forces. The situation is also unstable in Greater Equatoria and Upper Nile States. Armed clashes are disrupting normal life in these areas and forcing people to flee their homes. As a result, the already dire humanitarian situation is worsening. The United Nations humanitarian agencies and their partners in the country have to disperse their efforts and resources to address these challenges, which is particularly difficult given the severe underfunding of the humanitarian response plan. At times, humanitarian personnel are working in life-threatening conditions. In this regard, we flag that any acts of violence against humanitarian workers and other United Nations personnel present in the country are unacceptable. Significant attention has been focused on the dynamics of the political process in South Sudan. Juba has come under a great deal of criticism. It is being accused of virtually undermining the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, which remains the only viable framework for resolving the conflict in the country and establishing robust, inclusive governing bodies. We note that the South Sudanese leadership has not renounced its commitment to this document, which is evidenced by its decision to expedite the transition period through elections scheduled for December. We believe it is important for the Council to focus its efforts on assisting the South Sudanese to maintain an appropriate security environment in the run-up to this important event and to prevent internal tensions. It is necessary to dispel the misconception that South Sudan is incapable of advancing the political process on its own, without external interference. The country needs substantive assistance, not criticism, especially in the light of mounting economic challenges. We believe that it is precisely in such a constructive manner that the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development are approaching their mediation efforts regarding South Sudan. A decisive role in maintaining relative stability in the country is still being played by UNMISS. At this critical juncture, it is essential to ensure that the Mission’s multifaceted mandate remains unchanged, including when it comes to its role in facilitating the peace process. To respond effectively to current and potential threats, UNMISS must remain adequately staffed and ready to carry out its tasks of protecting civilians and ensuring humanitarian access. We trust that the Government of South Sudan will continue to maintain a constructive dialogue with UNMISS to overcome emerging challenges, including issues regarding the Mission’s use of certain bases located in the country, as well as in defining the modalities for reducing the United Nations presence. It is important to note that the South Sudanese are open to cooperation with the Mission and are not interested in its withdrawal. For our part, we will continue to support such an approach by Juba.

I would like to thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Gbeho and Under-Secretary-General Fletcher for their briefings and welcome the Permanent Representative of South Sudan to today’s meeting. I also thank the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Liberia for her statement. At present, the political transition in South Sudan is progressing slowly, the security situation remains unstable, and the humanitarian situation is further deteriorating. To address the many complex and deep-rooted problems, constructive assistance from the international community is needed. I wish to make four points in that regard. First, maintaining national stability is an overriding priority. Recently, there have been armed clashes in Jonglei, Upper Nile and other areas, resulting in civilian displacement and casualties. China calls on all parties to strictly abide by the ceasefire agreement and immediately stop the fighting and violence in order to prevent the conflict from escalating and spreading. The parties to the conflict must fulfil their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians, humanitarian workers and others from harm. The various ethnic groups in South Sudan share the same land and should coexist peacefully as fellow countrymen. We encourage the Government of South Sudan to continue strengthening intercommunal dialogue to foster mutual understanding and trust. Secondly, advancing the political process is instrumental to achieving lasting peace. The Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan represents a consensus among the political forces in South Sudan. It should be observed and implemented. China welcomes the appointment of the High Representative of the African Union for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea. China supports the United Nations, together with the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, in actively promoting peace talks and encouraging all parties to bridge their differences through dialogue and consultation, so as to jointly commit to an inclusive political process. Holding elections as scheduled is a shared aspiration of the Government and the people of South Sudan. China looks forward to smooth progress in the preparation for the elections. The international community should genuinely respect South Sudan’s sovereignty, the prerogative of its Government and people in managing their internal affairs and its actual national conditions, and it should refrain from exerting undue interference and pressure. Thirdly, scaling up development assistance is the key to effectively addressing the root causes of the conflict. The spillover effects of the conflict in the Sudan persist. The rainy season is once again around the corner. Threats from refugees, floods and epidemics are further intensifying. The international community should step up humanitarian assistance to South Sudan to prevent the humanitarian situation from deteriorating. From a long-term perspective, there is also a need to support the stabilization of the economy and people’s livelihoods to achieve sustainable development at an early date and thoroughly eliminate the conditions that breed violence. In recent years, China has provided assistance to South Sudan in building infrastructure such as hospitals and bridges, supplied substantial humanitarian aid, including food and medicine, and collaborated with the United Nations agencies on livelihood projects. We will continue to make contributions to the well-being of the South Sudanese people. Fourthly, supporting the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is a vital manifestation of international solidarity. This month, the Security Council will discuss the renewal of its mandate. Since its deployment in 2011, UNMISS has accompanied South Sudan on its journey of nation-building and development, playing an indispensable role in maintaining peace and stability in the country. China expresses its deep condolences on the passing of the late Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Nicholas Haysom, and commends his outstanding work as Head of UNMISS. The Government of South Sudan has engaged in consultations with the Mission to properly address the challenges arising from their cooperation. As a main troop-contributing country to UNMISS, China fully supports Special Representative Gbeho in her work and supports UNMISS in focusing on its mandate, such as protecting civilians and supporting the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement, while working in close collaboration with the Government of South Sudan to fulfil its duties and responsibilities. At the same time, China hopes that the Government will enhance its cooperation with the Mission. The contingency drawdown has already had a serious negative impact on the Mission. Its role and capabilities must not be further eroded in the future. Otherwise, the ability of UNMISS to protect civilians and maintain peace and stability in South Sudan would be severely compromised, which could, in turn, affect the security and stability of the entire region. In a little over two months, South Sudan will celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of its founding. At this new juncture in charting the way forward, let us work together to help the world’s youngest nation grow so that South Sudan can truly unlock its potential and become a land of hope where its people can create a brighter future. China stands ready, in partnership with the international community, to continue to play a constructive role to that end.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain. (spoke in Arabic) At the outset, we wish to express our deepest condolences and sincere sympathies to the United Nations, as well as to the family and colleagues of the late Mr. Nicholas Haysom — the former Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) — while recalling his outstanding contributions in support of peacekeeping efforts and in consolidating the foundations of stability in South Sudan. We welcome the assumption by Ms. Anita Kiki Gbeho of the duties of Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. We express our confidence in her leadership and expertise and affirm our continued support for her tireless efforts to advance the peace process, bring the views of the various parties closer together and promote constructive dialogue to address the current challenges in South Sudan. We welcome the participation of Her Excellency Ms. Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia, which has influenced the discussions in this meeting. We welcome the participation of the representative of the Republic of South Sudan in the meeting. We thank Ms. Anita Kiki Gbeho and Mr. Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, for their valuable briefings. In the light of what we have just heard, I should like to make the following points. First, since our most recent meeting in February (S/PV.10109), the political, security and humanitarian situation in South Sudan has witnessed an alarming deterioration, especially in the states of Jonglei, Upper Nile and Unity, threatening the gains made. With the approach of the elections scheduled for December and the onset of the final year of the transition period, we share the Secretary-General’s concern about the potential consequence of failure to complete the political, legal and financial frameworks for holding inclusive and fair elections, as well as potential failure to fully implement the basic benchmarks of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. In that regard, local, regional and international efforts must focus in a coordinated and urgent manner on urging the parties to renew their commitments to implement the Revitalized Peace Agreement of 2018 in a spirit of responsibility and sincere political will, and to take practical steps to restore the peace process in a way that avoids the risk of escalation and paves the way for stability and prosperity. Secondly, the Kingdom of Bahrain appreciates the efforts of the African Union (AU), including those led by the AU High-Level Ad Hoc Committee for South Sudan, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission. It also welcomes the endeavours of the African Union High Representative for the Horn of Africa Region, former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, and the efforts of the Republic of Kenya to revive the Tumaini Initiative to promote dialogue, reconciliation and the restoration of peace in South Sudan. Thirdly, the Kingdom of Bahrain expresses its deep concern that an increase in fighting and the inflammatory rhetoric fuelling the violence could bring about a deterioration in the humanitarian situation. It is concerned by estimates in the Secretary-General’s recent report that some 10 million people will need humanitarian assistance in the year 2026, in the light of the sharp decline in funding, which was only at 19.3 per cent. These developments cannot be separated from the broader regional context. Ongoing threats and security risks in the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Red Sea are restricting the flow of fuel and fertilizers, which will have a negative impact on African markets, especially during the rainy and agricultural seasons, including in South Sudan. That could contribute to a rise in energy and food prices and put increased pressure on the cost of living, especially for the most vulnerable groups. Accordingly, the Kingdom of Bahrain calls for stepped up international efforts to fund the humanitarian response plan for 2026 in a way that enhances responsiveness to growing needs while continuing to support host communities. It calls on the parties to the conflict to implement an immediate ceasefire, ensure the protection of civilians and enable humanitarian workers to carry out their duties safely, stressing the need for the parties to abide by the provisions of international humanitarian law and the Charter of the United Nations. In conclusion, the Kingdom of Bahrain appreciates the efforts undertaken by UNMISS. It commends the dedication of the contributing military and police forces and the Mission’s pivotal role in protecting civilians, providing operational and political support, and facilitating the delivery of assistance. It welcomes measures taken by the Mission to maintain its ability to implement its mandate in the face of the security challenges and constraints it faces. The Kingdom of Bahrain stresses the importance of taking these considerations into account ahead of the Council’s meeting to vote on the draft resolution to renew the Mission’s mandate at the end of the present month. The Kingdom of Bahrain commends the steps announced by the transitional Government in South Sudan to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid in cooperation with the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and other United Nations and regional organizations and agencies. The Kingdom of Bahrain stresses the need to translate these commitments into actual and continuous implementation (spoke in English) I resume my functions as President of the Council. I now give the floor to the representative of South Sudan.

Let me begin by extending our appreciation to the Kingdom of Bahrain for assuming the presidency of the Security Council this month. South Sudan assures you, Mr. President, of its cooperation and full support. We also wish to express our sincere condolences to the Council and to the family of the late Mr. Nicholas Haysom, the former Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). We remain grateful for his service and commitment to the people of South Sudan. His contribution and dedication will not be forgotten. At the same time, we welcome the appointment of the newest Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Anita Kiki Gbeho, and look forward to working closely with her. South Sudan takes note of the Secretary-General’s report and reiterates its commitment to continued cooperation with UNMISS in the implementation of its mandate. We remain engaged and supportive of the Mission’s work, including its contingency planning. We also note that parts of the Secretary-General’s report include recommendations that go well beyond the core mandate of UNMISS. Repeated references to what the report terms as unilateral actions do not actually reflect the full reality on the ground. Decisions related to governance and national political matters remain the sovereign responsibility of the Government and are taken through interparty dialogue and consultations. We therefore reject all unwarranted emphasis on these unfounded allegations. Furthermore, the Government of South Sudan has the obligation to protect its people across all parts of the country. Areas such as Nasir or Akobo are not exceptions. However, continued actions by armed opposition groups and other non- State actors have contributed to insecurity in these areas. We remain determined to restore stability in all corners of South Sudan. Any efforts by our partners towards achieving these goals, while respecting South Sudan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, are highly appreciated and welcome. Simultaneously, calls for a cessation of hostilities should clearly be directed towards those who continue to fuel violence. South Sudan acknowledges and appreciates the work of UNMISS in key areas such as strengthening the rule of law, including support for mobile courts and prison development. We also commend the Mission’s engagement with women and its efforts in addressing emerging challenges such as climate-related impacts. These are important contributions and we encourage the Mission to continue this work while maintaining impartiality, especially on matters relating to national security. South Sudan reaffirms its full commitment to 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. We wish to emphasize that there is no policy to obstruct the work of UNMISS. At the same time, effective cooperation depends on proper coordination, including the timely sharing of information. Strengthening this aspect will help to avoid misunderstandings and improve operational effectiveness. With regard to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, the Government remains committed to ensuring that South Sudan does not return to conflict. We welcome the position and efforts of the African Union and continue to work towards the holding of a general election in December 2026. We believe this process must be supported. Prolonged transitions or transitional arrangements risk undermining stability while our people are eager to move forward towards democratic governance and lasting peace. In conclusion, South Sudan believes that with constructive partnership, mutual respect and recognition of our sovereignty and territorial integrity, we can achieve our shared goal of lasting peace and stability. Let us continue to work together in that spirit.

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