UN Official Decries South Sudan Transitional Period Extension as Regrettable
Nicholas Haysom, UN Special Representative, condemned South Sudan’s transitional period extension as regrettable, stressing the urgency of implementing the peace agreement to avert further political stagnation. He called for actions to protect civilians amidst rising violence and proposed critical benchmarks for progress. Highlighting the humanitarian crisis exacerbated by conflicts, Haysom urged leaders to prioritize peace and engage in meaningful dialogue to bridge existing divides.
On November 7, 2024, Nicholas Haysom, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in South Sudan, addressed the United Nations Security Council regarding the recent extension of South Sudan’s transitional period. He expressed that the extension was a “regrettable development” amidst growing frustration among citizens due to the ongoing political inertia preventing the implementation of the peace agreement. Haysom emphasized the need for this extension to be the last chance for leaders to commit to delivering peace and democracy for the South Sudanese people. The UN official raised alarms over the recent increase in subnational violence and the recent civilian casualties reported across various states in South Sudan. He urged the leadership to unite and mobilize their forces to sustainably protect civilians. Haysom underscored the critical necessity of an actionable plan that lays out clear decisions, realisms, and monetary benchmarks to instigate meaningful progress. Furthermore, Haysom highlighted that the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict has been neglected, overshadowed by political maneuvering at the national level. He proposed six specific benchmarks that need immediate attention: the deployment of Necessary Unified Forces, civic education initiatives, the preparation for voter registration, amending key legislation to broaden political space, creating a code of conduct among stakeholders, and defining electoral security responsibilities. Amid escalating humanitarian needs owing to violence and natural disasters, Haysom noted that humanitarian efforts have intensified, reaching 3.9 million individuals in 2024, albeit with only a fraction of the required funding secured. He contextualized these struggles within the wider challenges facing South Sudan, particularly due to the conflict in Sudan, which has spurred a surge of over 830,000 refugees entering South Sudan. Finally, while mentioning the stalling of the Tumaini Initiative aimed at incorporating dissenting groups into the peace process, Haysom referenced a recent positive development involving dialogue between President Salva Kiir and Kenyan President William Ruto, indicating potential progress in negotiations. He called upon all parties to leverage the upcoming months to make essential political advancements, demonstrating a clear commitment of national resources towards achieving lasting peace.
South Sudan has grappled with political instability and violence since its independence in 2011. The Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict was designed to pave the way toward sustainable peace and democratic governance. However, repeated delays in its implementation have led to widespread frustrations among the populace. The United Nations has been actively involved in mediating these processes, underscoring the urgency for South Sudan’s leadership to reconcile differences and prioritize the welfare of its citizens. The humanitarian situation, compounded by external conflicts and natural disasters, continues to deteriorate, necessitating immediate and coordinated responses from governmental and international actors.
In conclusion, the recent extension of South Sudan’s transitional period, as articulated by UN Special Representative Nicholas Haysom, represents a significant setback in the quest for peace and democracy in the nation. The failure of political leaders to implement the peace agreement and effectively allocate resources towards humanitarian needs exacerbates the dire conditions faced by the populace. It is imperative that all stakeholders, national and international, seize this moment to commit to actionable plans to ensure that this transitional extension does not culminate in further delays.
Original Source: sudantribune.com
