Security Council meets on South Sudan as US warns over violations
September 3, 2015 (NEW YORK) – The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is to hold a briefing on Friday on the situation in South Sudan in the wake of violations of the permanent ceasefire after signing of peace agreement by warring parties, as United States warns president Salva Kiir over ceasefire violations.
It comes after the recent violations of the ceasefire and the renewal of fighting in Unity and Upper Nile states as Juba is reportedly on military offensive against opposition forces. The recent attacks involved attack helicopters dropping bombs on bases of the opposition fighters on Wednesday around Malakal, Upper Nile state’s capital, UNMISS has confirmed.
The meeting, requested by the US government, the penholder on South Sudan’s reports, is intended to provide members with an update on developments in South Sudan following the signing of the “Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan” by President Salva Kiir, leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) in Opposition, Riek Machar, and by other stakeholders.
Løj is expected to give Council members more details on the extent of the fighting, how much of it is related to command and control problems, and whether there might be other conflict dynamics at play.
The meeting will also consider the possible impact of divisions within president Kiir’s government on its implementation, putting into question whether the South Sudanese leader was in control of his government.
Also the meeting will discuss the effect of a recent split by a group of defectors from the SPLA in Opposition. The splinter group South Sudan Armed Forces (SSAF) attacked government targets in Upper Nile and Jonglei states earlier this week.
The SSAF has claimed that it will take up arms against both Kiir and Machar.
Council members will be keen to learn more about the Permanent Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements workshop, which is currently planned for 5-8 September in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, by the two warring parties and to be convened by the IGAD Plus mediation in implementation of the security part of the deal.
Based on the various assessments including the level of and speed with which the implementation of the agreement moves forward or not, the UN Security Council will renew and review the mandate of UNMISS before 30 November with possibility that it may be expanded with additional roles to play and measures in ensuring that the parties comply with the peace deal and implement it fully.
US WARNS PRESIDENT KIIR
The US Secretary of States, John Kerry, has warned president Kiir to abide by the peace agreement. Secretary Kerry reportedly called president Kiir on Thursday and spoke to him on phone, urging him to stop fighting and ensure full implementation of the ceasefire deal.
“Secretary Kerry spoke with president Kiir today and expressed concern regarding recent ceasefire violations,” AFP
quoted a senior official in the State Department in Washington.
He however said President Kiir confirmed to the secretary that he is committed to the full implementation of the peace agreement and the ceasefire.
He said the US will closely monitor the implementation of the peace deal and provide support in ensuring that the accord will be fully implemented.
(ST)