Conflicts hindering delivery of social services in south Sudan
(New York) South Sudan’s Ambassador to the United Nations yesterday told the UN security council that internal conflicts in the country and tensions with neighbouring Sudan are still a hindrance to the delivery of basic social services to the citizens of South Sudan.
Speaking in New York on the eve of the second anniversary celebrations, Francis Mading, Deng acknowledged that the young nation is still faced with numerous challenges.
The ambassador admitted that the two years have been very difficult on the newly established state “particularly with, intra-communal violence in the States of Jonglei, Lakes, Warrap, Unity, Upper Nile and Western Bar E1 Ghazal and, of course, the ongoing tensions between ourselves and the Sudan”.
“These situations have severely constrained our ability as a government to improve our capacity for the delivery of much needed basic services, respect for human rights, protection of civilians and to the general consolidation of peace, the provision of peace dividends”, said Deng.
The Current South Sudanese diplomat who is a former U.N. Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide worked since the eighties with a group of American activists and politicians called later “Friend of South Sudan”
Deng admitted that the Secretary General’s report on South Sudan had raised some genuine concerns like respect for human rights and security concerns which is still wanting.
‘’ The Government of the Republic of South Sudan is genuinely concerned with the security and general welfare of its citizens and of all those who live in South Sudan. We take note of the deep concerns of the Secretary General, United Nations in general and the international community regarding the Security of individuals, human rights, protection and respect of the rule of law in general. We do not deny these realities.’’
The ambassador blamed attribute the international community’s concern on the rule of law, security and human rights situation on the legacy of the over a century war.
The ambassador thanked the United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMISS), UN agencies and the international development partners for their efforts in mobilizing material and human resource for addressing these pressing challenges affecting citizens in South Sudan.
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