Mr Chairperson, I would like to make a statement on behalf of the Troika.
The people of South Sudan have suffered far too long from violence and lack of security. We continue to call on the transitional government to act with urgency, and in a consultative and inclusive manner, to take the steps necessary to hold credible and peaceful elections in December 2024. The leaders of this country must commit to dialogue as the path to resolution of differences related to the elections or its outcome. This is the best way forward for this country. There is no better path to sustainable peace. The opportunity is now to demonstrate adherence to the values of peace, democracy human rights, and a government responsive to the needs of its people.
A prerequisite for creating an environment for sustainable peace is a professional security sector under a unified command structure. We encourage CTSAMVM to keep investigating and reporting on credible allegations as a tool also for mitigating risks of further violations of the ceasefire. We underscore the importance of keeping reporting on SGBV violations.
I would like to repeat resolution number 9 from last CTSAMVM Board meeting, which took place on 25. January, where the Board is “urging all parties to do all that is necessary to ensure that all their forces are familiar with the provisions of the R-ARCSS, and that they have sufficient training to prevent the violations against civilians described in CTSAMVM reports”.
With less than 10 months remaining until elections are due to take place, we are still awaiting the step change in security sector reform progress required to deliver the transitional government’s commitment to hold free, fair, and peaceful elections. Time is running out: the UN SRSG has warned that South Sudan faces the risk of relapse into violence unless adequate time, resources and confidence-building measures are invested into elections preparations by this year. The violence in Sudan since April of last year should have been a reminder to all in South Sudan about the risks of failure to establish Necessary Unified Forces.
Yet questions still remain unanswered, including: how, when and where does the transitional government plan on deploying the remaining forces, and under whose command?
The people of South Sudan want – and deserve – a professional, politically neutral security sector to provide a safe process. We call upon the Transitional Government to urgently demonstrate their commitment to turn words into greater action in the weeks ahead.
*Delivered on behalf of the Troika by H.E Linken Nymann Berryman, Norwegian Ambassador to South Sudan.*