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UN PhotoSOUTH SUDAN / LACROIX VISIT DAY 1
STORY: SOUTH SUDAN / LACROIX VISIT DAY 1
TRT: 06:56
SOURCE: UNMISS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 15, 16 OCTOBER 2025, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN / FILE
15 OCTOBER 2025, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
1. Various shots, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix arriving at Juba International airport and being greeted by Government of South Sudan Ambassador Kureng Akuei, Director General of Multilateral Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UNMISS Deputy SRSG Anita Kiki Gbeho then heading off to meetings with Government officials
2. Various shots, Lacroix meeting with Government officials
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, United Nations:
“It’s a fragile country. It is a country that is impacted massively by the conflict in neighboring Sudan. It’s impacted by climate change. It’s impacted by the drastic reduction of humanitarian assistance. Therefore, this is a country that is really at a crossroads. There is a need for international support. This is something that is recognized by the authorities, whom we met this morning, so the point is let’s work together to make progress on the political front. Let’s work together to make the best possible case, so that our Member States will be convinced that it is in the collective interests of the South Sudanese people, of the region, of global security, to continue supporting international assistance to South Sudan.”
FILE - MAY 2025, BENTIU, SOUTH SUDAN
4. Various shots, UNMISS Peacekeepers in action
FILE - MARCH 2025, PIBOR, SOUTH SUDAN
5. Various shots, UNMISS Peacekeepers in action
16 OCTOBER 2025, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Martin Lomuro, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, South Sudan:
“As you know, UNMISS has a very important mandate and has been with us since we earned our peace under the CPA [Comprehensive Peace Agreement] and it has impacted many institutions, including the security sector and law sectors. So, we will wait for the plan that UNMISS will come up with and we will have a high-level team that will discuss and make an input into the plan so that the process is smooth with no negative impact.”
FILE - SEPTEMBER 2024, LAKES STATE, SOUTH SUDAN
7. Various shots, displaced persons at camp Yirol
16 OCTOBER 2025, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, United Nations:
“We are committed to keeping working with them and keeping the work to support them and protect them. At the same time, yes, there will be an impact because we are forced to implement those savings. We will try to minimize this impact, but the other message is we also need the advocacy of the civil society in South Sudan to support continued delivery of adequate resources to UNMISS and humanitarian partners.”
9. Various shots, Lacroix having a virtual Town Hall with UNMISS staff
During an official visit to conflict-affected South Sudan, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix urged progress in the peace process. His visit also aims to strengthen understanding of the impact of the UN-wide financial crisis on peacekeeping missions.
Lacroix held a series of high-level meetings with South Sudan’s political leaders, briefing them on the financial crisis, caused by delays and shortfalls in cash contributions to peacekeeping by Member States, and the impact on the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), which will be required to reduce its spending by 15 percent within the next seven months.
SOUNDBITE (English) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations:
“It’s a fragile country. It is a country that is impacted massively by the conflict in neighboring Sudan. It’s impacted by climate change. It’s impacted by the drastic reduction of humanitarian assistance. Therefore, this is a country that is really at a crossroads. There is a need for international support. This is something that is recognized by the authorities, whom we met this morning, so the point is let’s work together to make progress on the political front. Let’s work together to make the best possible case, so that our Member States will be convinced that it is in the collective interests of the South Sudanese people, of the region, of global security, to continue supporting international assistance to South Sudan.”
In response to the fiscal crisis, UNMISS will have to downsize its presence and reduce activities across the country, including closing some field offices and bases, reducing civilian and uniformed peacekeepers, and cutting operational spending.
SOUNDBITE (English) Martin Lomuro, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, South Sudan:
“As you know, UNMISS has a very important mandate and has been with us since we earned our peace under the CPA [Comprehensive Peace Agreement] and it has impacted many institutions, including the security sector and law sectors. So, we will wait for the plan that UNMISS will come up with and we will have a high-level team that will discuss and make an input into the plan so that the process is smooth with no negative impact.”
The significant cost-saving measures come at a time when the political, security and humanitarian situation is rapidly deteriorating. Political tensions and violence between forces aligned with the main parties to the peace deal are rising. Intercommunal conflict continues to have a catastrophic impact on communities across the country, and almost eight million people are facing crisis-level food insecurity while humanitarian resources are stretched beyond breaking point. Despite the challenges, the United Nations has reiterated its commitment to staying and delivering for the people of Sout Sudan.
SOUNDBITE (English) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations:
“We are committed to keeping working with them and keeping the work to support them and protect them. At the same time, yes, there will be an impact because we are forced to implement those savings. We will try to minimize this impact, but the other message is we also need the advocacy of the civil society in South Sudan to support continued delivery of adequate resources to UNMISS and humanitarian partners.”
To find shared solutions to the challenges ahead and ensure a smooth downsizing process, the Mission will continue engaging intensively with all partners, including the Government of South Sudan and affected communities, to de-escalate tensions, end political violence, and build a better future for the world’s newest nation.
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