Security Council Press Statement on Situation in South Sudan

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Gérard Araud ( France):

On 30 December, members of the Security Council were briefed via video-conference by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Hilde Johnson, and the Force Commander, Major-General Delali Johnson Sakyi, of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

The members of the Security Council expressed their deep concern at the situation in South Sudan, in particular, the devastating impact of the crisis on South Sudan’s civilian population and the continuing threat to civilians.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their support to the Intergovernmental Authority on Development’s (IGAD) efforts to bring about peace.  The members of the Security Council welcomed the 27 December IGAD Heads of State and Government Summit and the continued and essential engagement of IGAD to push for immediate dialogue among South Sudan’s leaders.  They also welcomed the efforts by a number of other countries in this regard. 

The members of the Security Council underlined and repeated their call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for President Salva Kiir, former Vice President Riek Machar and other political leaders to engage urgently in direct talks without preconditions.  The members of the Security Council stressed that there should be no further delays to cessation of hostilities and commencement of dialogue.

The members of the Security Council renewed their calls on all concerned for full protection to be afforded to civilians, foreign nationals and United Nations personnel and facilities, provision of humanitarian access, release of all political detainees, security of economic infrastructure, including oil installations and the safety of the employees, and an end to all violence.  The members of the Security Council welcomed the steps taken to strengthen human rights investigation capacity in UNMISS.  The members of the Security Council stressed their determination that those responsible for human rights violations and abuses are held accountable.  

The members of the Security Council commended UNMISS leadership and personnel for their life-saving work, and encouraged troop- and police-contributing countries to continue to support UNMISS through inter-mission cooperation, as well as deployment of new military and police peacekeepers.  They commended the Member States who responded to the United Nations’ requests for forces and enablers to bolster UNMISS, as well as those who have shown a willingness to do so, and in this regard, called upon the Government of South Sudan to immediately accept all such offers as presented by the United Nations, without conditions and regardless of country of origin. 

The members of the Council condemned incidents of obstruction of UNMISS operations as it seeks to protect civilians and renewed their demand that all parties cooperate fully with UNMISS to allow for its full and immediate operability.  The members of the Security Council further reiterated their call that efforts to undermine UNMISS’ ability to implement its mandate and attacks on United Nations personnel will not be tolerated.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their strong resolve to support a peaceful solution to the crisis in South Sudan and underscored their determination to back all efforts to that end.  They also agreed to convene on a regular basis to monitor the situation and assess the need for further steps.

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For information media • not an official record