As South Sudan takes steps to implement the 2018 peace agreement, it is vital to create an enabling environment for elections in that country, the UN’s top official in the strife-torn country told the Security Council on Wednesday, as delegates expressed concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation.
Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), noting that the parties continue discussions to resolve outstanding issues in the implementation road map, spotlighted the Tumaini Initiative, a dialogue process launched in Nairobi.
“These talks, re-located from Rome and now hosted by the Government of Kenya, seek to ensure that non-signatory groups, civil society, faith-based groups, and traditional leaders join the peace process,” he said, adding that the Tumaini Initiative also proposes new monitoring, oversight, and implementation mechanisms and a National Leadership Council structure.
However, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) announced its withdrawal from the Tumaini process on 16 July, citing concerns that “it dealt with matters that were already agreed in the Revitalized Peace Agreement and accordingly have gone beyond its remit”.
Haysom underscored that while UNMISS has encouraged an approach where both processes would be mutually reinforcing in the search for consensus among all stakeholders-that is, among formal signatories and non-signatories to the peace agreement-“further clarity is required on how the Tumaini initiative will converge with and thus complement the framework of the Revitalized Agreement”.
He emphasized that “the Mission is not championing either process as an exclusive modality, but is promoting the constructive confluence of the two”. He asserted that both processes must advance with deliberate speed to deliver on the aspirations of South Sudanese. To this end, UNMISS continues to support the creation of conditions that will lead to elections in South Sudan, “whenever they are to be held”.
Meanwhile, subnational violence continues to undermine the nominal stability realized thus far, he observed, voicing concern over deadly clashes in the Greater Upper Nile region, which required a reinforced UNMISS presence in Pariang, alleged National Salvation Front abductions in Central Equatoria, and intercommunal violence and criminality involving communities in Warrap, Lakes, Unity, and Jonglei.
“A perfect storm is gathering in South Sudan, as regards its humanitarian and economic outlook,” he cautioned, adding that the Mission is working closely with the UN country team, humanitarian partners, and the Government of South Sudan on scenario planning, analysis, and mitigations for this difficult period ahead. However, he stated, “time is running out” and “the costs of inaction at this juncture are too great” — should the elements of the perfect storm converge, it would outstretch the response capacity of the UN and risk derailing the country’s political transition.
Also briefing the Council was Charles Tai Gituai, Interim Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, who described it as “the official oversight body responsible for overseeing, monitoring and evaluating the status of the implementation of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan.
Noting that next month will mark six years since the signing of the Agreement, he said this has been “the longest period of relative peace and stability since independence in 2011”.
However, the pace of implementation of the accord has been slow despite the extension of the transition period, he said, adding that “key tasks such as completion of the unification of forces, making of the current constitution and various election-related preparatory tasks are still outstanding”.
The main challenges in implementation include “insufficient political will, a trust deficit among the parties, capacity gaps and persistent levels of intercommunal violence,” he said.
This is exacerbated by insufficient and unpredictable funding for institutions and mechanisms. While the Political Parties Council has adopted a code of conduct and registered 29 political parties, there are concerns about the procedures followed.
Noting that an interparty committee reviewed the road map’s implementation and submitted its report, he said the next task is to develop a realistic timetable for elections. “It is expected that the timetable will be accompanied by a budget and guaranteed funding,” he added.
“The permanent ceasefire continues to hold, which is commendable”, he said. Turning to the Tumaini Initiative, he added that the outcomes of the ongoing Nairobi talks should align with the peace accord.
Also reiterating the need to address the humanitarian situation, he said the special reconstruction fund provided for in the Agreement has not yet been established. The economic situation continues to worsen, burdened by a reduction in oil revenue.
The National Constitution Review Commission is trying to enhance its internal readiness; however, key tasks such as public consultations have not substantively begun. Despite these challenges, the Revitalized Agreement has brought peace, inclusive governance structures and reforms, he said, adding that it “remains the most valuable blueprint and transformative framework” for peace and prosperity in South Sudan.
Rounding out the discussion, South Sudan’s representative reaffirmed commitment to the Revitalized Agreement and the road map and acknowledged that “the benchmarks for holding elections still needs to be fully met”.
Noting a meeting yesterday chaired by her country’s President in which the leaders of political parties participated, she said they reviewed the implementation of the peace agreement and resolved to seek technical advice from the electoral commission on the feasibility of conducting the upcoming elections. Also reaffirming commitment to ongoing mediation efforts, such as the Tumaini Initiative, she expressed appreciation to the United States for funding this process.