UNSC calls for comprehensive steps to end S. Sudan conflict
March 24, 2015 (NEW YORK) – Members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) have reiterated their strong condemnation of the repeated violation of the ceasefire agreement by South Sudan’s warring factions, weeks after failure to conclude an agreement that would have brought the nation closer to ending its ongoing conflict.
The statement was read out by Ambassador François Delattre of France, which holds the council presidency for the month of March.
“The Security Council further underscores the significant importance of fighting impunity and ensuring accountability for serious violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law in South Sudan, including those that may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity,” reads the statement.
The situation in South Sudan remains volatile since political in-fighting between president Salva Kiir and his former vice-president, Riek Machar, and their respective factions erupted in December 2013.
The hostilities subsequently turned into a full-fledged conflict that sent nearly 100,000 civilians fleeing to UN bases around the country.
According to the UN, the ongoing crisis has uprooted an estimated 1.9 million people and placed over 7 million at risk of hunger and disease, a recent peace deal between the warring factions had fostered hope of a definitive end to the year-long conflict.
Currently, UN bases are reportedly sheltering over 110,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) with an additional 1.5 million others displaced throughout the country and 500,000 outside the country.
In addition, the number of food-insecure civilians is anticipated to rise from the current 2.5 million as the country approaches its critical lean season. This week, the UN food agency (WFP) launched an appeal for $250m to urgently address humanitarian crises.
(ST)