Good morning. I would like to welcome you to this UNMISS Press Conference. This is part of our commitment to regularly share with you our assessment of the challenges facing the country as well as what UNMISS is doing to help the South Sudanese people. And greetings to everyone joining us live on Radio Miraya.

I met recently with President Salva Kiir to discuss developments in South Sudan and the implications of the Sudan crisis for us in South Sudan.

We agreed that the longer the Sudanese conflict continues, there will be significant security, economic and humanitarian consequences for South Sudan. We are already seeing an increase in the food prices in the region and a scaling up of the humanitarian needs, with the influx of returnees and refugees which has now exceeded 70,000. Apart from two incidents we have collectively (UNCT, UNMISS and Government) managed to avoid significant blockages in the onward passage of what is mostly South Sudanese returnees.

The attention of the region is now on Sudan. I commended the President for using his longstanding relations with the parties to support the various ceasefire interventions, and his own readiness to offer himself as a mediator between the two parties. I also commended South Sudan’s open-door policy to refugees and returnees. However, I encouraged the President to also continue making progress toward implementation the Roadmap. This is not the time to take our eyes off the ball. What we can learn from Sudan is how quickly matters can unravel if neglected.

At the beginning of the year, I outlined the challenges and priorities facing South Sudan. The scale and importance of what remains to be done does not leave room for inaction. We still see 2023 as a ‘make or break’ year for this nation if it is to fully implement the Peace Agreement, which is to suggest that matters cannot be deferred to 2024.

The constitution making process, electoral legislation, standing up the necessary institutions and structures, as well as the environment to support robust political competition require tangible steps. The constitution making process is in our estimation 10 months behind schedule, elections planning is 8 months behind schedule, and several aspects of the transitional security arrangements are simply hanging.

The creation of a conducive political and civic space for these processes is also important because there must be avenues for constructive dialogue between citizens and support for their participation in these processes that will shape the future of South Sudan.

Last week, UNMISS facilitated a series of engagements that brought together political party representatives, civil society, women, youth, and faith-based leaders. Participants predominantly expressed concerns about the delays in implementing the Roadmap and discussed ways to support implementation.