South Sudan’s parties are far from reaching a peace deal to end the ongoing conflict, despite regional efforts to close the gaps on governance and security issues, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations said.
Addressing the UN Security Council on Tuesday, Jean‑Pierre Lacroix said the South Sudan parties continued to argue over ministerial quotas in any revised transitional governing arrangement.
He pointed out that President Salva Kiir had pledged to take part in the High‑level Revitalization Forum to resolve the conflict, and rhetoric was increasing around extending the Transitional Government of National Unity mandate, as well as preparations for elections, should the forum not yield an “acceptable” solution.
However, he said the holding of elections was unrealistic as the government and opposition were bent on armed confrontation.
Lacroix urged the United Nations Security Council to use its influence over South Sudan.
“It is in this context that I reiterate that there must be a tangible cost for the continuation of violence in South Sudan,” he said, adding “there must be consequences for blatant violations of the Cessation of Hostilities agreement and broken promises to protect civilians.
The UN official also expressed concerns over the scale of sexual violence in South Sudan.
He urged the Council to use its voice to dispel what he said was the “unhealthy” narrative of regime change that some of South Sudan’s leaders would like to use against the UN and the international community in a bid to win popular support.
“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,” said the UN official.