Latest news with #RevitalizedPeaceAgreement
Scoop
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
UN Security Council Extends South Sudan Mission Amid Rising Instability
The Security Council has extended the mandate of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) for another year, as the worlds youngest nation teeters on the brink of renewed conflict. 8 May 2025 Introduced by the United States and supported by 11 other Council members, the resolution extended the mandate of UNMISS until 30 April next year. This action follows a short nine-day 'technical rollover' approved by the Council on 30 April to allow more time for negotiations. Through the text – adopted on Thursday – the Security Council authorized the peacekeeping mission to 'use all necessary means' to implement its mandate – including the protection of civilians, assisting aid delivery, supporting implementation of the 2018 peace agreement, and investigating violations of international law. Three nations – China, Pakistan, and Russia – abstained. Volatile situation on the ground The renewal comes amid an increasingly volatile political and security situation in South Sudan. Head of UNMISS Nicholas Haysom warned ambassadors in April that the fragile 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement – signed by historic rivals President Salva Kiir and former First Vice President Riek Machar – is unravelling. The political standoff, including the arrest of Mr. Machar, has reportedly escalated into open military confrontation, while misinformation and hate speech are fuelling ethnic divisions and instability. 'This situation is darkly reminiscent of the conflicts of 2013 and 2016, which cost over 400,000 lives,' Mr. Haysom said. UNMISS mandate The resolution maintains the mission's overall force ceilings at 17,000 troops and 2,101 police, including 88 justice and corrections advisors. The Council also expressed its readiness to consider adjusting force levels and capacity-building based on future conditions. The resolution expressed 'deep concern' over delays in implementing the 2018 agreement, urging South Sudan's leaders to urgently show political will and build mutual trust. It urged the parties to engage in open and constructive dialogue. It also stressed that the 'organization and funding of free and fair elections is the responsibility of the South Sudanese authorities ', calling on the transitional government to adopt an appropriate legislative framework to fund national elections. The resolution also condemned the use of sexual violence, recruitment of child soldiers and interference in any humanitarian operations. UNMISS was initially established by the Security Council in 2011, following South Sudan's independence from Sudan, to help maintain peace and stability at the time when the young nation faced significant internal conflicts and humanitarian challenges. Ditch 'ideological goals': US Speaking before the adoption, US Acting Representative Dorothy Shea called on the international community to bring South Sudan 'back from the brink.' She cited deteriorating conditions on the ground, including recent attacks against civilians and infrastructure. She also noted ongoing challenges facing UNMISS – including being asked to vacate its Tomping base – which undermine the mission's ability to carry out its mandate. 'In short, as I hope we can all agree, the goal of UNMISS should be to render itself unnecessary by ushering in a lasting peace. The day that a peacekeeping operation is no longer required in South Sudan will be a bright one,' Ambassador Shea said. She added that UN peacekeeping mandates, including UNMISS, 'should not pursue ideological goals that are difficult to define and even more challenging to implement on the ground, but rather focus on core Chapter VII functions,' referring to the Chapter of the UN Charter stressing action to further international peace and security. Unnecessarily politicised: Pakistan Pakistan, which abstained from the resolution alongside China and Russia, explained its position. Deputy Permanent Representative Muhammad Usman Iqbal Jadoon said UN Peacekeeping Missons should enjoy 'complete and unified support' of the Security Council. 'However, this task is complicated when mandate resolutions are unnecessarily politicised,' he said, stating that mission mandates 'must be tailored to the needs on the ground, not the political priorities of Council members.' The resolution contained issues 'which have no direct link' with UNMISS, preventing consensus among the 15 Council member States, he added. That said, Mr. Jadoon reiterated his country's full support for UNMISS and its leadership. 'UNMISS remains a force of stability in South Sudan. We greatly appreciate the dedication of its personnel and peacekeepers, who are performing their duties under difficult conditions.'
Scoop
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
UN Security Council Extends South Sudan Mission Amid Rising Instability
8 May 2025 Introduced by the United States and supported by 11 other Council members, the resolution extended the mandate of UNMISS until 30 April next year. This action follows a short nine-day 'technical rollover' approved by the Council on 30 April to allow more time for negotiations. Through the text – adopted on Thursday – the Security Council authorized the peacekeeping mission to 'use all necessary means' to implement its mandate – including the protection of civilians, assisting aid delivery, supporting implementation of the 2018 peace agreement, and investigating violations of international law. Three nations – China, Pakistan, and Russia – abstained. Volatile situation on the ground The renewal comes amid an increasingly volatile political and security situation in South Sudan. Head of UNMISS Nicholas Haysom warned ambassadors in April that the fragile 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement – signed by historic rivals President Salva Kiir and former First Vice President Riek Machar – is unravelling. The political standoff, including the arrest of Mr. Machar, has reportedly escalated into open military confrontation, while misinformation and hate speech are fuelling ethnic divisions and instability. 'This situation is darkly reminiscent of the conflicts of 2013 and 2016, which cost over 400,000 lives,' Mr. Haysom said. UNMISS mandate The resolution maintains the mission's overall force ceilings at 17,000 troops and 2,101 police, including 88 justice and corrections advisors. The Council also expressed its readiness to consider adjusting force levels and capacity-building based on future conditions. The resolution expressed 'deep concern' over delays in implementing the 2018 agreement, urging South Sudan's leaders to urgently show political will and build mutual trust. It urged the parties to engage in open and constructive dialogue. It also stressed that the 'organization and funding of free and fair elections is the responsibility of the South Sudanese authorities ', calling on the transitional government to adopt an appropriate legislative framework to fund national elections. The resolution also condemned the use of sexual violence, recruitment of child soldiers and interference in any humanitarian operations. UNMISS was initially established by the Security Council in 2011, following South Sudan's independence from Sudan, to help maintain peace and stability at the time when the young nation faced significant internal conflicts and humanitarian challenges. Ditch 'ideological goals': US Speaking before the adoption, US Acting Representative Dorothy Shea called on the international community to bring South Sudan 'back from the brink.' She cited deteriorating conditions on the ground, including recent attacks against civilians and infrastructure. She also noted ongoing challenges facing UNMISS – including being asked to vacate its Tomping base – which undermine the mission's ability to carry out its mandate. 'In short, as I hope we can all agree, the goal of UNMISS should be to render itself unnecessary by ushering in a lasting peace. The day that a peacekeeping operation is no longer required in South Sudan will be a bright one,' Ambassador Shea said. She added that UN peacekeeping mandates, including UNMISS, 'should not pursue ideological goals that are difficult to define and even more challenging to implement on the ground, but rather focus on core Chapter VII functions,' referring to the Chapter of the UN Charter stressing action to further international peace and security. Unnecessarily politicised: Pakistan Pakistan, which abstained from the resolution alongside China and Russia, explained its position. Deputy Permanent Representative Muhammad Usman Iqbal Jadoon said UN Peacekeeping Missons should enjoy 'complete and unified support' of the Security Council. 'However, this task is complicated when mandate resolutions are unnecessarily politicised,' he said, stating that mission mandates 'must be tailored to the needs on the ground, not the political priorities of Council members.' The resolution contained issues 'which have no direct link' with UNMISS, preventing consensus among the 15 Council member States, he added. That said, Mr. Jadoon reiterated his country's full support for UNMISS and its leadership. 'UNMISS remains a force of stability in South Sudan. We greatly appreciate the dedication of its personnel and peacekeepers, who are performing their duties under difficult conditions.'
Zawya
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) condemns air strikes in Fangak, calls for an immediate ceasefire
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) condemns continuing air strikes in Fangak, Jonglei state, which have led to civilian deaths, injuries and displacement as well as the destruction of humanitarian property. On 3 May, aerial bombardments in Old Fangak led to seven civilians being killed while some 27 others were injured and a Médecins Sans Frontières pharmacy was destroyed. This morning, an air strike near a World Food Programme warehouse in New Fangak has damaged a dyke protecting people in this remote location from floods. 'Such violence against civilians and clearly marked humanitarian facilities is unacceptable,' said Guang Cong, Deputy Special Representative, UNMISS. 'These attacks constitute a grave violation of international human rights and humanitarian law. Vitally, they contravene the Revitalized Peace Agreement and severely undermine ongoing efforts to establish durable peace in South Sudan,' he stated. 'We call on involved parties to prioritize civilian protection by recommitting to the Peace Agreement and the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and actioning an immediate ceasefire. We also urge South Sudanese authorities to investigate these incidents and hold those responsible to account,' added DSRSG Cong. UNMISS continues to engage with all stakeholders, including national and state authorities, security actors, uniformed personnel, community leaders, civil society organisations as well as international and regional partners to reduce tensions. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Zawya
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
United Nations (UN) intensifies peacekeeping patrols at displacement camps amidst rising tensions and conflict in South Sudan
Tens of thousands of people who fled violence during the brutal civil war that raged across South Sudan in 2013 found sanctuary next to the United Nations peacekeeping base in Juba. Twelve years later, many remain in the camps, as they feel unable to return safely to their original homes and are reliant on humanitarian support. Now, they are facing a fresh threat with clashes taking place between forces aligned with the two main parties to the Revitalized Peace Agreement in several locations across the country and political tensions soaring in the capital. 'We feel unsafe and need UNMISS patrols to increase. We also need the camps to be securely fenced because, if people move outside, they can meet their deaths,' says camp resident Angelina Nyang Char. 'We are not sure who the killers are, but we know they are around us.' With the signing of the peace deal in 2018, the security situation in South Sudan began to stabilize with the parties largely adhering to the ceasefire. In 2020, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) began transitioning almost all the displacement sites which had been under formal UN protection since the war into conventional camps under the responsibility of the Government. However, with fears rising that the peace agreement will collapse and the country relapse into war, UNMISS has had to intensify its presence around and within the camps, patrolling by day and night, to provide additional security. Rwandan peacekeepers are leading the patrols, which include military and police officers. 'Our mandate is to protect civilians. That's the main reason why we are patrolling at night. We also want to make the displaced communities feel secure and confident through our presence,' says Rwanda Battalion III commander, Lieutenant Moise Mutuyimana. The patrols are encountering some challenges, including access denials in some areas. While acknowledging the Government's right and responsibility to ensure the safety of their own citizens, it is also important for UN peacekeepers to be able to discharge their protection duties. 'We absolutely respect that it is the primary responsibility of the Government to protect its own civilians and acknowledge its efforts in this regard,' says UNMISS Force Commander, Lieutenant-General Mohan Subramanian. 'However, we also have a mandate to provide protection, which is even more important at a time when tensions are high. That's why we are supplementing the Government's efforts by patrolling critical areas, including displacement camps.' As well as maintaining a physical presence, UN Police are engaging with community leaders in the displacement sites to understand and respond to their concerns. 'We have very strong relationships with the communities which have been built up over a long time through constant engagement,' says UNMISS Police Commissioner, Christine Fossen. 'We hear their concerns about their safety and their future, and we are actively patrolling, being present in their areas, to help them feel more secure.' The community appreciates the enhanced efforts to secure the camp. 'UNMISS is always around and responds when we need their presence. They help keep us informed and support our own efforts to keep our camp safe,' says Camp Management Committee Chairperson, Kol Choul Kir. Protection is only one part of UNMISS' efforts to help resolve the tensions. The mission's leaders are also engaged in high-level political negotiations, alongside regional and international partners, to try and convince the country's leaders to resolve tensions through dialogue, cease hostilities, return to the peace agreement, and work together to move South Sudan forward towards the better future its people deserve. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Zawya
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): Surging violence as armed groups target civilians in the east, Human Rights Council hears
Civilians continue to bear the brunt of the violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with 602 victims of extrajudicial or summary executions in North and South Kivu recorded over just two months, the Human Rights Council heard on Tuesday. The grim revelation emerged during a high-level discussion at the UN in Geneva on the human rights situation in DRC. The Council – the UN's foremost human rights forum – also heard updates on allegations of ongoing abuses in South Sudan and the Central African Republic. Surging violence Despite best efforts, armed groups including the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel forces have made major recent gains – occupying cities such as Goma and Bukavu – causing mass displacement. Conflict-related sexual violence 'is being committed by all parties,' warned UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nada Al-Nashif, citing a 270 per cent spike in reported cases since January. 'Any plans for a sustainable peace must tackle the root causes of the conflict, including the illegal exploitation of the national wealth that lies in natural resources,' she said, also calling for action against hate speech and corruption. She underscored the alarming scale of the crisis: nearly 26 million people face food insecurity, and over 7.8 million are now displaced nationwide. In the east – where multiple armed groups have battled national forces and allied militia for years – more than 1.6 million children are out of school. Renewed conflict and repression in South Sudan Turning to South Sudan, the UN human rights office (OHCHR) Global Operations Division Director, Maarit Kohonen Sheriff, painted a stark picture of escalating violence and political tension. She noted a 'severe security, human rights and humanitarian crisis,' including deadly attacks in Upper Nile State and aerial bombardments that have displaced civilians and destroyed infrastructure. The Council heard that arrests and detentions linked to political affiliations, including members of the leading opposition militia, known as the SPLM-IO, have raised serious concerns, with some detainees held without access to legal representation or external monitoring. 'The recent house arrest of First Vice President, Riek Machar is alarming,' Ms. Sheriff said, warning of threats to the 2018 power-sharing arrangement under the Revitalized Peace Agreement. Despite some progress – including new transitional justice laws and the creation of a human rights defenders' network in Unity State – civic space remains severely restricted, and documented cases of conflict-related sexual violence have risen by 72 per cent compared to the previous year. Urgent funding needs Efforts to train prosecutors and police on investigating sexual violence were highlighted as positive, but Ms. Sheriff emphasised the urgent need for funding and international support. 'Human rights technical cooperation efforts will only bear fruit if the parties in South Sudan recommit to the peace agreement,' she said. The international community must continue to support nation-building efforts and help 'prevent a relapse into civil war,' she further emphasised. Fragile gains in Central African Republic The Council also heard updates from the Central African Republic (CAR), with Ms. Sheriff recognising the Government's progress in adopting policies to promote human rights, including new protections for human rights defenders. Nevertheless, she stressed that the situation 'remains difficult', with violations still being committed by all parties to the conflict. Ms. Sheriff highlighted atrocities by armed groups such as the Azandé Ani Kpi Gbé militia in Haut-Oubangui, compounded by spillover violence from Sudan 'An effective decentralisation process is essential for responsible governance,' she told the Council, urging inclusive local elections and more civic participation, especially by women and youth. Transparent justice Independent Expert Yao Agbetse echoed her call, urging full implementation of national reforms and increased transparency in justice. While noting progress, he warned that rights violations remain widespread, particularly in areas under armed group control. CAR's Justice Minister, Arnaud Djoubaye Abazene, reaffirmed the Government's commitment to extending judicial institutions across the country. 'The population is thirsty for justice,' he said, citing efforts to expand courts and upcoming local elections as signs of resolve. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.
