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8356th Security Council Meeting: Reports of Secretary-General on Sudan and South Sudan
Cautiously welcoming a week-old peace deal ending the fighting in South Sudan, Security Council members raised a range of concerns about subsequent clashes and the protracted humanitarian crisis, as high-level officials updated on recent developments today.
Highlighting the steps leading to the 12 September signing of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, briefers shared challenges ahead, with some calling for enhanced support as leaders embarked on a path to sustainable peace.
Indeed, the accord offers an opportunity to “turn a new page”, said Jean‑Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, briefing the Council on elements of the Secretary-General’s 90-day progress report on South Sudan (document S/2018/831). The new agreement provides a road map for peace through reform, political transformation, security, development and national reconciliation. However, he expressed concern about the low level of trust among signatories, and about pockets of violence exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation.
Nicholas Haysom, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Sudan and South Sudan, said that, while the accord might have flaws, it is still an effective platform for peace as long as stakeholders demonstrate the political will to implement it.
Ismail Wais, Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Special Envoy for South Sudan, addressing the Council via videoconference, said the landmark accord deserves robust support. The all-inclusive process leading to its signing allowed all parties, including estranged groups, women and young people, to participate, he said, emphasizing that all actors must support peace efforts going forward.
Speaking on behalf of the South Sudan Civil Society Forum, Grace John, Governance and Peace Manager of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation, said people are desperately hoping that commitment to the Revitalized Agreement is genuine. Among her concerns is that some opposition groups declined to sign the accord, while others were not involved in the negotiations.
Urging the Council to act decisively on a range of concerns, she said members must press IGAD to advocate continued engagement with such groups in order to widen support for the accord. In addition, the Council must insist on the immediate establishment of the Hybrid Court on South Sudan to end impunity for grave human rights violations, she said, and exert pressure on parties to honour the ceasefire in a timely manner. Pointing out that South Sudanese women participated in the negotiations on the Revitalized Agreement, she said one of their major achievements is greater participation in the Government by women.
In the ensuing discussion, South Sudan’s delegate said President Salva Kiir has pledged to implement the Revitalized Agreement in good faith, appealing for reconciliation among the people. While the accord is difficult and complicated, with the international community voicing concerns, he said those issues must not undermine its significance. The Revitalized Agreement should be seen as a positive turn of events, an achievement upon which to build. He urged the Council to join the Secretary-General, the African Union and IGAD in making peace a reality at long last in South Sudan.
Many Council members applauded the deal, with Kazakhstan’s representative calling it a great example of “African solutions to African problems”. Some said it meant a chance to forge a prosperous future, while others underlined the importance of an inclusive and genuine political process. Ethiopia’s representative noted that the Revitalized Agreement was unique in that all parties signed without reservations. The process was conducted in an all-inclusive, transparent manner, with political organizations — including estranged groups — fully involved in the negotiations. The continued commitment of all parties must be ensured, he said, advocating support from IGAD, the African Union and the United Nations and underscoring the importance of the Council’s role in ensuring both the deployment of the Regional Protection Force and a review of its mandate.
Some delegates expressed concerns, with many citing the dire humanitarian situation that had displaced millions who now required assistance. Recalling past failures to implement peace agreements, the representative of the United States advocated a radical change among South Sudan’s leaders and greater accountability before the Council welcomes any agreement. Doing otherwise would mean turning a blind eye to the lack of success in the past. France’s delegate meanwhile said the international community must respond to the humanitarian challenge while at the same time holding firm in dealing with those responsible for the situation. Côte d’Ivoire’s delegate, expressing grave concern over reports of inter-ethnic conflict and crime across South Sudan, recommended that steps to peace include measures to re-establish trust and foster dialogue among parties.
Also delivering statements were representatives of the Netherlands, Poland, Kuwait, Peru, United Kingdom, Sweden, China, Bolivia, Russian Federation and Equatorial Guinea.
The meeting began at 3:05 p.m. and ended at 5:09 p.m.
