REMARKS BY THE UNITED NATIONS ASSISTANT SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR AFRICA, MARTHA POBEE, TO THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL ON THE SITUATION IN SOUTH SUDAN
Mr. President,
Distinguished Members of the Security Council,

Thank you for the opportunity to brief on the situation in South Sudan as outlined in the Secretary-General’s report submitted to this Council.

Since our last briefing to this Council, as emphasized in the report of the Secretary-General, there has been a continued erosion of the gains previously made in the peace process, including of the trust and confidence built among the parties to the Revitalized Peace Agreement. There has been an escalation of political and subnational violence and stagnation in the implementation of the Peace Agreement.

Since March this year, military offensives, primarily involving the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces against the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition and including aerial bombardments and ground operations, have continued.  They have undermined Chapter Two of the Peace Agreement and resulted in deaths, displacements and destruction of civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and schools.

The international community, including the United Nations, African Union and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), have repeatedly called for a cessation of hostilities, de-escalation and return to dialogue.  These calls, however, have not yielded any concrete response.  Instead, a pattern of violations and unilateral actions persists, and continue to undermine the ability of the Government of national unity to implement the Agreement.

There is a concern that the current military posture and ongoing operations will spur more violence and exacerbate inter-communal conflict.  If this trend continues, it will likely lead to a shift in conflict dynamics, from subnational and community-based violence to a more complex landscape shaped by ethnic divisions involving signatory parties and other actors, including those from neighboring countries.

The ongoing spread of mis- and dis-information on social media risks further inflaming political and intercommunal tensions. This would ultimately undermine the cohesion and peaceful coexistence that must form the very foundation of this young nation.