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8166th Security Council Meeting: Situation in Sudan and South Sudan
The Security Council met today to discuss the situation in South Sudan, with members pointing out that while progress had been made with the signing of a cessation of hostilities agreement, there had already been setbacks, and the ceasefire had been broken almost immediately.
Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix told the Council members that while the signing of the agreement on cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and humanitarian access was a great stride forward, it was only the first step in the process. Violations of the agreement continued, with clashes between pro-Taban Deng Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) and pro-Riek Machar SPLA-IO in Koch (Unity), and between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and pro-Machar SPLA-IO forces in Mundri and other areas of Western Equatoria and elsewhere. Attacks by unknown armed elements on Government security installations in the Gurei sector of Juba, and in Kapuri, west of Juba, on 4 January, were concerning, he noted.
The Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, Festus Mogae, emphasized that the convening of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) revitalization forum was a success. While the forum had focused on an end to hostilities and resulted in an agreement that reduced the level of violence in the country, the accord had been violated by several of the signatory parties. The speed with which some parties had violated the agreement highlighted the need for compliance, he said.
Ursula Mueller, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, said that under the recently launched 2018 response plan for South Sudan, humanitarian partners sought to assist 6 million people, more than half the country’s population. She also highlighted that violations of international humanitarian law were still being perpetrated by various parties, including the SPLA and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO). Despite the implementation of the Republican Order for the Free, Unimpeded and Unhindered Movement of Humanitarian Assistance Convoys, issued by the President of South Sudan in November, humanitarian access remained unpredictable.
Several delegations raised the possibility of sanctions against South Sudan, with the representative of Equatorial Guinea noting that, while such an action might play an important role as a deterrent, there were still other pragmatic issues that needed to be taken into account.
Peru’s delegate said that a permanent ceasefire would be indispensable to any credible dialogue on the governance of South Sudan, and, as such, the Council must consider sanctioning those responsible for violating the agreement. He also noted that any impediments to the delivery of humanitarian assistance were unacceptable.
The United Kingdom’s delegate also highlighted the need for there to be consequences for any rupturing of the agreement. Noting that the cessation of hostilities was violated almost immediately after the agreement was signed, he said that there should be consequences for those who obstructed the negotiation progress. In addition, he reiterated the call for an arms embargo for all parties, noting that it would send a strong message to those who would undermine the revitalization forum.
The representative of the Netherlands said that the situation in South Sudan had reached a critical point, and the international community — including the Council — should respond with the strongest possible pressure. “We cannot allow anyone to stand in the way of peace by undermining this process,” he cautioned.
The representatives of the United States, Ethiopia, Bolivia, Sweden, China, Poland, Côte d’Ivoire, France, Kuwait, Russian Federation and Kazakhstan also spoke today.
The meeting started at 3:07 p.m. and ended at 4:58 p.m.
