Statement by the Republic of Slovenia at the UNSC meeting on the Reports of the Secretary-General on the Sudan and South Sudan

Thank you Mr. President,

I thank SRSG Haysom, Director Wosornu and Ms. Nasiwa for their sobering briefings.

I also welcome the representative of South Sudan to the meeting.

Mr. President,

Escalating violence and tensions which are threatening and undermining the fragile gains of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, leading to possible state wide conflict are deepening our concern for the world’s youngest state and its people.

Let me address three points.

Firstly, there is an urgent need for de-escalation and stabilization in South Sudan. We call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, engage in dialogue and work collectively to preserve and build on the gains achieved through the peace agreement.

We are horrified by the impact of the armed clashes on the civilian population, particularly aerial bombardments. We strongly condemn these actions and remind all, including all external actors, of their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law. Civilians must never be targeted; on the contrary, civilians must be protected.

Mr. President,

We commend the engagement by the African Union, IGAD, and countries in the region and encourage their continued efforts. We urge all parties in South Sudan to recommit to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and the Revitalized Agreement and to resolve political differences through the established mechanisms.

We call on all parties to uphold their commitments, release political detainees, including First Vice President Machar and return to direct and inclusive dialogue.

Secondly, we strongly condemn the attack on UNMISS’ helicopter on March 7th, which claimed several lives, including UN personnel. We extend our condolences to the victims’ families and reiterate that attack on peacekeepers may constitute a war crime. Those responsible must be held accountable.

As we approach the renewal of the mission’s mandate, Slovenia reaffirms its support for UNMISS and its vital role in protecting civilians, advancing peace, promoting and assisting in full, safe, meaningful and effective participation of women, youth and civil society in peace process and transitional governance structures, fostering community cohesion, and enhancing local capacity for resilience. In this context, we commend SRSG Haysom de-escalation efforts.

However, we remain alarmed by ongoing violations of the Status of Forces Agreement and urge the government to fully respect and implement its provisions. UNMISS’s robust mandate remains critical.

Thirdly, we are deeply concerned about the impact of what the Secretary-General described, as, I quote, “dark clouds of a perfect storm”, unquote, on civilians. There is no shortage of challenges in South Sudan – from climate shocks and prolonged spillover from the conflict in Sudan, to intercommunal violence, additional large-scale displacements, and ongoing human rights violations and abuses, including alarming levels of sexual and gender-based violence.

The country is now experiencing unprecedented food insecurity – the worst since its independence. As the conflict escalates and hunger worsens, women and children once again bear the brunt of the crisis while humanitarian efforts remain hampered.

The ongoing crisis is exacerbating an already fragile humanitarian environment. We call on all parties to ensure safety and security of civilians and humanitarian workers and to enable safe, unhindered humanitarian access.

Mr. President, in conclusion,

South Sudan, still healing from a devastating civil war that claimed over 400,000 lives, stands at another critical juncture. We reiterate our call on all parties to engage in good faith and through dialogue to ensure that history does not repeat itself.

I thank you.

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