Remarks by Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), on Sudan and South Sudan. Security Council, 8249th meeting
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UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix expressed his “firm belief” that holding elections in South Sudan in the current political, security and humanitarian environment is “unrealistic and would be counter-productive” adding that the Government and opposition in the country were “bent on armed confrontation, controlling territory and forcing civilian displacement.”
Addressing the Security Council today (08 May), Lacroix said the parties in South Sudan remained far apart on critical issues ahead of the High-Level Revitalization Forum in Addis Ababa (HLRF). He said the rhetoric was increasing around the unilateral extension of the Transitional Government of National Unity should the HLRF fail to yield an acceptable solution. Lacroix added that the majority of opposition parties were boycotting the national dialogue because they consider it to be a flawed process.
The UN peacekeeping chief said the cessation of hostilities agreement showed no sign of meaningful implementation as fighting between the SPLA and SPLA in Opposition has escalated. He said sexual violence was a prominent feature of the South Sudanese conflict.
“The UNMISS human rights rapid investigation team deployed to document the impact of recent fighting in Unity, in Leer and in surrounding areas has received several disturbing accounts of conflict related sexual violence, including rape of young girls and gang rape. These latest reports only compound what we already know to be a desperate situation for women and girls in South Sudan, who continue to be the victims of appalling levels of violence. We must respond and respond quickly to ensure accountability for these violations and abuses and bring an end to these heinous acts once and for all.”
Lacroix urged the Security Council to use its voice to dispel the unhealthy narrative of regime change that some of South Sudan's leaders were using against the United Nations and the international community in a bid to win popular support. He said this narrative serves no one and only sows seeds of hate and paranoia in a country facing significant challenges, and where localized violence is becoming endemic.
South Sudanese ambassador Akuei Bona Malwal said his Government was “dismayed” at the report of the Panel of Experts which he said was “openly tilted against the government and its senior officials.” He said the report mainly cited information provided to it by the opposition and aimed to justify sanctions against government officials.
Malwal said the South Sudanese Government was committed to cooperating with the Panel of Experts “to quickly end the crisis in South Sudan”, but stressed that the report “is full of one-sided examples against the government which bring into question the neutrality and fairness of this Panel.” He said calling for an arms embargo based on the Panel’s report would “not end the war nor bring peace in South Sudan.” He added, “The council ought to focus on other effective means of ending war and bring lasting peace in South Sudan rather than risk prolonging it.”
