Peace agreement key for South Sudan stability, says UN official
November 7, 2022 (JUBA) – The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix has acknowledged the positive steps made in the implementation of South Sudan’s revitalized peace deal, but said more should be done.
He made the remarks at the start of his four-day visit to the world’s newest nation.
“There have been positive steps forward in the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, but much more needs to be done,” said Lacroix.
He added, “We are here to encourage further progress in the implementation of the peace deal because it is the political framework which offers hope for South Sudan to achieve more stability”.
Lacroix, accompanied by the Chef de Cabinet of the Secretary-General, Courtney Rattray, met key political interlocuters, the UN family, civil society, diplomats and donors.
The senior UN official’s visit comes months after parties to the peace accord agreed on a roadmap to push forward outstanding benchmarks contained within the 2018 agreement.
On Monday, he was briefed on the current state of play by senior leaders from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), including the UN Peacekeeping mission’s support to ensure a robust, competitive political process that leads to free, fair and credible elections, marking an end to the country’s extended transitional period.
Lacroix also interacted with humanitarian partners as well as the donor communities in the country, where he stressed the need for continued support from international friends.
“I think it is important to try our very best so that the people of South Sudan can get the kind of humanitarian assistance that they need at this juncture,” he said.
About 7.76 million people, according to the Integrated Food Security Classification (IPC), are likely to face acute food insecurity during the April-July 2023 lean season while 1.4 million children will be malnourished due to floods, climate change and conflicts.
The IPC was jointly released by the World Food Programme (WFP), Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and UN Children Fund (UNICEF).
(ST)