S/PV.7570 Security Council

As this is the first public meeting of the Council for the month of December, I should like to take this opportunity to pay tribute, on behalf of the Council, to my friend and colleague, His Excellency Mr. Matthew Rycroft, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom, for his splended service as President of the Council for the month of November. I know I speak for all members of the Council in expressing deep appreciation to Ambassador Rycroft and his whole tired team for the great diplomatic skill with which they conducted the Council’s business last month. Adoption of the agenda Reports of the Secretary-General on the Sudan and South Sudan Special report of the Secretary-General on the review of the mandate of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (S/2015/899) Report of the Secretary-General on South Sudan (S/2015/902) Letter dated 23 November 2015 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2015/903)

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 Mr. Hervé Ladsous, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I wish to draw the attention of participants to document S/2015/899, which contains the special report of the Secretary-General on the review of the mandate of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, as well as to document S/2015/902, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on South Sudan. I also wish to draw the attention of participants to document S/2015/903, containing a letter dated 23 November 2015 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council. I give the floor to Mr. Ladsous.

I thank you, Madame, for this new opportunity to present to the Security Council an update on the peace process in South Sudan and to address the recommendations of the Secretary-General on the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). This morning, I informed the representatives of the countries contributing troops or police personnel of the new concept of operations proposed for the Mission. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Løj, will present some additional elements on the operational status of the Mission during our consultations on the operational situation. I will therefore focus on the current political trends. Our assessment is clear. The peace process in South Sudan is currently in a critical phase that requires the active political engagement of the international community, including the Intergovernmental Authority on Development-plus group, as well as Security Council members, to encourage the implementation of the transition. Otherwise, the progress made to date would be in vain. We must therefore work collectively to increase the adherence of the parties to the implementation of their agreement and support the institutions established by the agreement so as to end this senseless conflict. Since late October, as I have said, some progress has been made on the political front. Following the seminar on operational implementation of the clauses of the ceasefire and transitional security arrangements, held in Addis Ababa from 21 October to 3 November, the parties finally reached a new agreement on the distribution of forces provided to ensure safety in the capital. On 20 October, the Ugandan army began to withdraw its troops from South Sudan, as stipulated in the agreement, and that process concluded a month later. Last week, the Government began to withdraw its security personnel from Juba, in accordance with the terms of the agreement. The Council has probably noted that on 18 November, President Salva Kiir gave a speech to the nation in which he reaffirmed that support for the peace agreement and the establishment a Transitional Government of National Unity were among the Government’s priorities. On 27 November, the first meeting of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission was held, chaired by former Botswana President Festus Mogae. Unfortunately, the armed opposition and representatives of former Sudan People’s Liberation Movement prisoners did not attend the meeting. As we feared and must acknowledge, the implementation of the peace agreement is progressing very slowly and with great difficulty. Since August, numerous violations of the ceasefire agreement have taken place in several regions of the country. Continued fighting between both parties, especially in Unity state, has resulted in substantial civilian casualties, caused the displacement of additional people and increased humanitarian assistance needs. The clashes also resulted in additional cattle theft and looting of humanitarian goods as well as numerous violations of human rights. A complete and immediate cessation of hostilities would be the first real contribution to the peace process, which the two parties owe to their people. However, we are still witnessing incessant clashes on the ground. Unfortunately, we continue to see fighting on a daily basis aimed at retaking or consolidating military positions before the start of the transition. That trend is also evident at the political level. (spoke in English) The decision taken by President Kiir on 2 October to establish 28 states in South Sudan continues to generate controversy in the country. Most recently, on 19 November, a special session of the National Legislative Assembly approved amendments to the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan that removed all references to South Sudan being made up of a specific number of states and gave the President the power to appoint governors and members of the National Legislative Assembly during the transitional period. Strong concerns have been raised by the oppposition and within other political parties in respect of the legality of such measures. That initiative could make even more challenging a reconciliation between the parties at this important moment in the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity. At this point in the peace process, any unilateral political initiative taken by either party is counterproductive. Our messaging to both parties should be clear and unequivocal: we need the agreement, the whole agreement and nothing but the Agreement, and we need it urgently. In that context, the Secretary-General has proposed to the Security Council a number of adjustments to the mandate of UNMISS, as well as to the configuration of the Mission. The proposal is for UNMISS to focus on providing support to the key institutions of transition, including the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, which will oversee the implementation of the agreement in all its facets; the joint integrated police, which will be responsible for security in Juba, Malakal, Bentiu and Bor; and the joint operations centre, which will coordinate the movements of the forces allowed to remain in Juba. The Secretary-General has also recommended that the Mission be authorized to provide technical support to the Transitional Government in making constitutional and legislative adjustments, planning for national elections, establishing transitional justice mechanisms and developing strategies for security-sector reform and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration. As UNMISS takes forward that targeted support, it would continue to implement its current mandated tasks, working closely with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to transition the Monitoring and Verification Mechanism formerly in place to oversee the cessation of hostilities, to the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) envisioned in the peace agreement. Operational planning to that effect is already well under way, as directed by resolution 2241 (2015). The Mission would also continue to focus on the protection of civilians. Its efforts would be directed towards providing increased protection from internal violence within the protection-of-civilian sites, as well as for civilians facing violence in areas of origin or displacement outside such sites, by projecting its troops and conducting extensive patrols in areas of tension. It is our assessment that an increase of 500 troops and 600 police personnel would allow us to provide the support required of the CTSAMM and enhance such protection-of-civilians activities. It is important to note, however, that increasing protection outside of the protection-of-civilian sites fundamentally requires the cooperation of the Government, as well as that of UNMISS troop-contributing countries, which have at times proved reluctant to take the proactive and forward-leaning posture that the task requires. For our intention to translate into results, the routine violations of the status-of-forces agreement, particularly through restrictions imposed on the Mission’s freedom of movement, must end. As the Mission moves towards the provision of more robust support to the national authorities in the implementation of the peace agreement, it will be essential for the Government of National Unity to prove itself a willing partner. It must make the strategic decision to support and facilitate, rather than simply tolerate, the work of our Mission. Let me also take this opportunity to reiterate the Mission’s continued need for air assets, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Real-time information is critical for the Mission to improve its awareness of what is happening, to react rapidly and to save lives. In a country as vast, and in many parts inaccessible, as South Sudan, UAVs are not only useful, they are in fact vitally important for monitoring the changing situation and needs on the ground. They can also play an essential role in supporting the permanent ceasefire, which both parties have stated is a key priority. With respect to security in Juba, our vision is also clear. We must invest in the provisions set by the agreement to address tensions and incidents in the capital. We must invest in the rapid operationalization of the joint integrated police, the joint operations centre, the joint military command and the CTSAMM to guarantee security. That is not just the request of the Government, it is the only politically and operationally sound option. UNMISS must help the parties work together to rebuild confidence and maintain security together in Juba. There is no alternative. Finally, in line with the recommendations of the High-level Implementation Panel on Peace Operations, the Secretary-General has recommended a phased approach to structuring UNMISS’s engagement in South Sudan. To that end, we feel that a period of one year would provide us with the time required to implement the proposed mandated changes and assess their impact on the situation in South Sudan. Bringing peace and stability to South Sudan will require a concerted effort from all partners involved in resolving the conflict. The Security Council, the African Union, the IGAD-plus process and countries of the region have a critical role to play in maintaining pressure on the parties to implement their agreement, building its political momentum and demonstrating the benefits of peace. No number of troops or police can replace the political will required of the leaders of South Sudan to bring their conflict to an end.

I thank Mr. Ladsous for his briefing. I now give the floor to the representative of South Sudan.

Permit me to thank you, Madam President, and the other members of the Security Council for giving us this opportunity to speak on an issue of great importance to our country. As this is the first time I speak in the Council under your leadership, Madam, I would like to congratulate you on assuming the presidency of the Council for this month and to pledge our full support and cooperation to you and your team. I would also like to acknowledge the role of your predecessor in successfully leading the Council last month. Let me begin by reaffirming that the Government of the Republic of South Sudan is fully committed to the implementation of the recently signed peace agreement. President Salva Kiir Mayardit, in his recent statement to the nation and to the National Legislative Assembly, reiterated his commitment to implementing the agreement in letter and spirit. He urged members of the Assembly to honour their obligation to the people of South Sudan by joining hands with him in implementing the agreement in order to put an end to the suffering of the people of South Sudan, restore normalcy to the country and deliver services to the people. The process of the implementation of the agreement has indeed begun and is under way. The Government of the Republic of South Sudan started withdrawing its forces to within a 25-kilometre radius of the capital city of Juba, as stipulated by the peace agreement under the security arrangements. On 27 November, the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) Chair, Mr. Festus Mogae, former President of the Republic of Botswana, officially opened its offices in Juba. On 28 November, we welcomed our brothers and sisters who are former detainees back home from Nairobi and await the coming of our brothers and sisters from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition, whom we expect to return soon. The arrival of the aforementioned persons back to Juba is a very important step, as it will help build confidence and a measure of trust after many months of hostilities. The President, in his inspiring words to the nation, called on all of its citizens to welcome their returning brothers and sisters with open arms and hearts, to forgive and forget the bitterness of the war and to go forward as one people and one nation. The Government of South Sudan stands ready to form the Transitional Government of National Unity as soon as all our brothers and sisters who are stakeholders in the peace agreement join us in Juba, hopefully soon. Despite allegations of ceasefire violations on both sides, there is reason to believe that all are interested in ending the violence and rebuilding the nation, united rather than divided by what should be enriching diversity. As much as the Government of South Sudan is committed to the implementation of the peace agreement, it is bound to fall short due to financial constraints and lack of sufficient resources. For these reasons, we call upon all parties to the agreement and the international community to come in and support the implementation of the agreement so as to ensure sustainable peace, in which we all have a stake. We sincerely appreciate the efforts being made by the international community to alleviate the humanitarian suffering of our people. But while a great deal has already been done, as the report of the Secretary-General (S/2015/902) indicates, the situation remains dire and much more needs to be done not only by the United Nations, but also by the international community, donors and friends of South Sudan. During this period, when the Council is about to negotiate the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), we urge that the United Nations consider reintroducing capacity-building that is more targeted towards the implementation of the agreement. The other action to be considered could be the inclusion of the Peacebuilding Commission, which would complement the work of UNMISS and JMEC. Indeed, one sees encouraging proposals in the report of the Secretary-General on the review of the UNMISS mandate (S/2015/899). Many areas are beginning to emerge that indicate a return to capacity-building, although this is conditional on progress in the peace process and the availability of resources. This calls for support from the wider international community. As the Secretary-General indicates in paragraph 79 of his report: “UNMISS is not in a position to deliver all the support necessary to ensure the success of the peace process. Substantial resources will be required to take forward the framework for democratic transformation, good governance, justice and reconciliation, reparations and healing and early recovery provided for in the peace agreement. Technical and financial assistance must be provided to the Transitional Government of National Unity in support of peace. I would encourage donors to support the implementation of the programme of transition in a coordinated manner. The dire humanitarian situation in the country must not be forgotten. I appeal to donors to continue to fund the humanitarian effort, as long as needs persist.” As we begin the implementation of the peace agreement, the Government of South Sudan and UNMISS should jointly find a way to encourage civilians in the protection sites to return to their villages, as the current status quo cannot be sustained, as shown by the incidents that have taken place within those camps and the poor living conditions due to overcrowding, because these sites were never intended to hold such large numbers, nor were they meant to continue being used for such a long period. Since UNMISS itself admits to the challenges facing it in providing protection within its camps, there is an urgent need to broaden the protection of civilians outside the United Nations camps to the broader population. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate my Government’s commitment to implementing the peace agreement in earnest and to working closely with the United Nations and the international community at large to address the challenges facing the country. We also hope that the Government of South Sudan will be involved in the negotiation of the new UNMISS mandate, to be renewed on 15 December. In this connection, we note with satisfaction the Secretary- General’s statement that, in preparing the report, his Special Representative has consulted with a number of stakeholders on the findings and recommendations, including a number of named Cabinet ministers. This process should to be encouraged and broadened.

I now invite Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussion on the subject.