The extension of South Sudan’s transitional period has drawn substantial frustration from citizens concerned about delays in the peace agreement’s implementation. UN official Nicholas Haysom emphasized the necessity for decisive actions to fulfill promises of peace and democracy, while also addressing rising violence and humanitarian challenges in the region. He urged South Sudan’s leadership to take critical steps forward to ensure this extension is the final one needed for lasting stability.
The extension of South Sudan’s transitional period has elicited considerable disappointment from the populace, as expressed by Nicholas Haysom, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in South Sudan. Speaking to the Security Council, he remarked that this development reflects the growing frustrations of South Sudanese citizens due to ongoing delays in the peace agreement’s implementation. Haysom stressed the need for this extension to be the concluding one, urging leaders to act decisively to fulfill the promises of peace and democratic governance that their people rightfully expect. The United Nations official highlighted increasing incidents of violence and civilian casualties in various regions, notably Upper Nile, Central Equatoria, and Warrap states, as the rainy season draws to a close. Haysom called upon South Sudan’s leaders to unite and mobilize their own security forces, underscoring that this is vital for sustainably preventing future civilian harm. He indicated that the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) continues to uphold its mandate of protecting civilians while providing logistical support for the deployment of necessary unified forces. In emphasizing the critical need for an actionable implementation plan, Haysom urged a reconvening of the government-led task force aimed at constitution-making and elections. He expressed concern that since the extension, the progress of the Revitalized Agreement has stalled, sidelined by prevailing political interests. Haysom identified six achievable benchmarks for all involved parties, stressing the urgency of addressing the deployment of unified forces and initiating preparation for elections and civic education. Acknowledging the dire humanitarian conditions exacerbated by conflict and natural disasters, Haysom noted that operations have intensified to assist over 3.9 million individuals this year, despite only a fraction of the required funding being secured. He pointed to the recent influx of refugees from Sudan, compounding the challenges faced by South Sudan. Additionally, he conveyed hope regarding the Tumaini Initiative, which aims to integrate opposition factions into the peace dialogue, and highlighted a forthcoming meeting between South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and Kenya’s President William Ruto as a positive step forward.
The context surrounding South Sudan’s transitional period involves ongoing struggles to achieve peace and stability following years of conflict. Since the signing of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan in 2018, citizens have expressed concern over delays in implementing key aspects of the accord. The political landscape remains fraught with challenges, including violence, humanitarian crises, and logistical barriers to achieving democratic governance. UN officials continue to monitor the situation and call for decisive actions from South Sudanese leaders to fulfill promises made to their constituents.
In summary, Nicholas Haysom’s remarks to the UN Security Council reflect the urgency of addressing the frustrations of South Sudan’s citizens regarding the prolonged transitional period. With rising violence and humanitarian needs complicating the situation, he calls for immediate and united action from the South Sudanese leadership to ensure the transition towards peace and democracy persists sustainably. The next few months stand as a crucial timeframe for necessary political decisions to enhance stability and prioritize the needs of the population.
Original Source: sudantribune.com
