South Sudan: Humanitarian Crisis & the Peace Agreement - Security Council Briefing | United Nations

Briefing by Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative and head of UNMISS, on the situation the Sudan and South Sudan - Security Council, 9219th meeting. The UN Special Representative for South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom, said that there had been some noticeable progress in the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement. Briefing the Security Council today (13 Dec) on the Secretary-General’s latest 90-day report on South Sudan, Haysom said, “With the passage of essential bills, and the ratification of the Roadmap by the transitional National Legislature, parliament is again functioning.” He also said that the security situation in Upper Nile State continues to be a particular concern and has the potential to deteriorate further. “Violence in the area has taken on an ethnic dimension,” Haysom explained, “and I condemn the human rights violations and abuses that have included killings, conflict-related sexual violence, pillaging, and large-scale displacements.” According to Haysom, thousands of civilians have fled to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) temporary operating base at Kodok and the protection of civilian site in Malakal, “which is already congested beyond its capacity.” He warned that credible elections cannot take place in such an environment and that there will be consequences for those promoting the conflict. Haysom added that the worsening of the humanitarian crisis in South Sudan is a reminder of the imperative for the parties to deliver on their commitments in the Peace Agreement. Next year’s projections estimate that 9.4 million people will need humanitarian and protection assistance. “This is an alarming figure for a country of roughly 12 million people,” he said. The situation is exacerbated by flooding and localized drought. While humanitarian personnel are working tirelessly to offer shelter, health care, food, water, sanitation, and mental health support, needs continue to outstrip the resources to assist. The UN Special Representative for South Sudan highlighted, “Humanitarians continue to give their lives in service – with nine personnel killed on duty in 2022.” The Permanent Representative of South Sudan to the United Nations, Akuei Bona Malwal, also briefed the Security Council today. He said that one of the major challenges that his country is facing is the humanitarian situation, "caused by both nature and conflict." He continued, “As much as climate change tends to get politicized, we, who are experiencing its devastation and destruction, consider it a reality that needs to be confronted with all the tools in our collective toolbox.”


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