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STORY: UN / SOUTH SUDAN
TRT: 2 :55
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 04 MARCH 2020, NEW YORK CITY
FILE – RECENT, NEW YORK CITY
1. Wide shot, exterior UN headquarters
04 MARCH 2020, NEW YORK CITY
2. Wide shot, Security Council
3. Wide shot, South Sudanese ambassador joining meeting
4. Wide shot, Security Council
5. SOUNDBITE (English) David Shearer, Special Representative of Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS):
“But the progress is attributable to the political willingness of two men who put the interests of their country first: President Kiir to make a critical concession and Dr. Riek Machar to agree to return to the capital that he left during fighting in 2016. We often speak of courage in war and battle. But peace also requires courage.”
6. Med shot, delegates
7. SOUNDBITE (English) David Shearer, Special Representative of Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS):
“The first joint statement from the new presidency – that’s the President and the Vice Presidents together - urged people from POC sites, protection sites, and neighbouring countries to return to their homes. Their collective message is significant and is timely, coming ahead of the rainy season and also the planting season. The message does, of course, put onus on the new government to ensure that areas of return are safe for those coming back.”
8. Med shot, ambassadors
9. SOUNDBITE (English) David Shearer, Special Representative of Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS):
“Our actions can push South Sudan further toward sustainable peace; our inaction can help condemn it to failure. In the past weeks, its leaders have shown leadership. It is hoped that will continue. But it is imperative there is no reneging of the peace agreement or of the ceasefire. International partners must remain engaged — both in solidarity and, at times, with pressure — to encourage compromise in order to achieve and maintain the unity.”
10. Wide shot, Security Council
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Akuei Bona Malwal, Permanent Representative of South Sudan to the United Nations:
“This Government is going to be a new government, and I think the international community should be in a position to give them leeway so that they can move the people of South Sudan forward. But if you tied them down with the sanctions, I’m afraid their progress will be slowed. But the decision is yours.”
12. Wide shot, delegates
13. SOUNDBITE (English) Akuei Bona Malwal, Permanent Representative of South Sudan to the United Nations:
“Our appeal to peace loving members of the international community is simply this: If you stood with the people of South Sudan during the difficult last six years, this is the most opportune time to double or triple your care and support for the people of South Sudan for the sake of lasting peace and unity in South Sudan.”
14. Wide shot, Security Council
UN Special Representative for South Sudan David Shearer attributed the progress in the country to the “political willingness of two men who put the interests of their country first” and said, “We often speak of courage in war and battle. But peace also requires courage.”
Addressing the Security Council via teleconference from Juba today (04 Mar) Shearer highlighted the positive developments that have moved the country further along the road to sustainable peace. He paid tribute to the political willingness of President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar for putting the interests of their country first in their agreement on a transitional government.
Shearer added that relief was the overwhelming feeling expressed around the country, with the consensus being that the priority is to form the transitional government so that the peace agreement – and the country – can advance. He said parties were now negotiating over the allocation of ministerial portfolios.
He noted that the new government could prompt positive change, with internally displaced people and refugees being able to return. Already around 800,000, according to IOM, have come back since the signing of the 2018 peace agreement.
SOUNDBITE (English) David Shearer, Special Representative of Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS):
“The first joint statement from the new presidency – that’s the President and the Vice Presidents together - urged people from POC sites, protection sites, and neighbouring countries to return to their homes. Their collective message is significant and is timely, coming ahead of the rainy season and also the planting season. The message does, of course, put onus on the new government to ensure that areas of return are safe for those coming back.”
For its part, the UN Mission has stepped up its protective presence to build confidence in the areas of return. However, the Special Representative said the lack of basic health and education services in rural areas has discouraged returns.
Shearer said the new government faces daunting challenges on day one that will test its unity, particularly the need to move on the transitional security arrangements where implementation is dangerously lagging. He added that the new government also faces a precarious humanitarian situation in many states, especially with extensive flooding last year which destroyed crops, contaminated water supplies, and led to the loss of livestock.
The Special Representative said the international community would likely lean on the side of caution as to not repeat past mistakes, which he said was fair, but added that it could not totally step back to wait to see what happens before making a commitment.
SOUNDBITE (English) David Shearer, Special Representative of Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS):
“Our actions can push South Sudan further toward sustainable peace; our inaction can help condemn it to failure. In the past weeks, its leaders have shown leadership. It is hoped that will continue. But it is imperative there is no reneging of the peace agreement or of the ceasefire. International partners must remain engaged — both in solidarity and, at times, with pressure — to encourage compromise in order to achieve and maintain the unity.”
South Sudanese ambassador Akuei Bona Malwal thanked the Security Council for its support to his country. He said while many Council members mentioned dividends of peace in South Sudan, the Government of National Unity should not have to start its new mandate with the dividends of sanctions as a way forward.
SOUNDBITE (English) Akuei Bona Malwal, Permanent Representative of South Sudan to the United Nations:
“This Government is going to be a new government, and I think the international community should be in a position to give them leeway so that they can move the people of South Sudan forward. But if you tied them down with the sanctions, I’m afraid their progress will be slowed. But the decision is yours.”
Malwal appealed to the international community to provide much-need assistance and support to the people of South Sudan in order for the peace agreement to hold in the long run. He added that the coming government would need technical, material and specialized expertise in order to establish liveable cantonment sites and for the orderly and peaceful return of IDPs and refugees from neighbouring countries.
The South Sudanese ambassador said, “Our appeal to peace loving members of the international community is simply this: If you stood with the people of South Sudan during the difficult last six years, this is the most opportune time to double or triple your care and support for the people of South Sudan for the sake of lasting peace and unity in South Sudan.”
