Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen,

I have just concluded a productive meeting on South Sudan with His Excellency Mr. Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Her Excellency Madame Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission.

We are in agreement.  The conflict in South Sudan must stop.

Today, I repeat my call to President Kiir and former Vice-President Dr. Riek Machar to give up war – for the sake of the people and future of South Sudan.

I urge them to compromise, forge a political deal and make true on their promises to protect the people of South Sudan.

South Sudan marked the fourth anniversary of its independence last week on 9 July.

I vividly recall the high hopes invested in this new nation at its birth, which I witnessed.

I am heartbroken for the people of South Sudan whose aspirations for a peaceful and prosperous future have been shattered so unnecessarily, so tragically.

The humanitarian situation in the country is appalling.

Over 1.6 million people have been displaced and over 600,000 have fled to neighbouring countries.

Close to 4.6 million face severe food insecurity.

The United Nations demands that the parties respect international humanitarian law and enable unfettered access to those in need of assistance.

I remain deeply disturbed by the level of violence and the unspeakable atrocities committed against civilians.

I remind all parties to the conflict that those responsible for serious human rights violations will be held accountable.

South Sudan can still be saved if the two sides move beyond their partial interests, show courage and leadership.

True leadership means making compromises. 

It means stopping the fighting, stopping the killing and raping, stopping the destruction of the country.

Peace in South Sudan also requires support from its neighbours.

I urge President Museveni and President Bashir to use their influence on the parties to help end this conflict.

Let me conclude by commending the efforts of the IGAD Heads of State and mediators to help the two sides reach a comprehensive peace agreement.

The United Nations offers its full support to IGAD so that collectively we show the parties a single way forward.

Thank you.

Q: It has been reported that another UN staff is being expelled by the Government of South Sudan. What is your reaction and what is the United Nations planning on doing to address this kind of behaviour?

SG: I read the report this morning and we are in consultations with the central Government. This announcement was made by local authorities. At this time, we don’t know what is going to happen to our UN staff. But we have been very much disappointed when South Sudan’s Government decided to ask Toby Lanzer [to leave], who had been working very hard on the humanitarian situation in South Sudan.

I sincerely hope and urge South Sudan authorities to fully cooperate with the United Nations in South Sudan and provide support so that our humanitarian workers can deliver and have unfettered access to the people.

As you are aware, the United Nations Mission is now accommodating more than 150,000 IDPs, internally displaced persons. The United Nations has never been designed or planned to accommodate so many IDPs so we are in very much a difficult position. We are doing our best to provide life-saving support to them so we expect they [South Sudan authorities] should fully cooperate and provide support.