UN chief urges use of all tools to end South Sudan conflict

[Elisabeth Janaina]

UN chief urges use of all tools to end South Sudan conflict

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UN chief António Guterres (right) meets with President Salva Kiir, at
the 28th summit of the African Union (AU), in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
on 29 January 2017 (UN photo)

September 23, 2017 (JUBA) - The secretary general of the United
Nations has urged the global community to use all tools to compel the
warring parties in South Sudan conflict to accept a peaceful
settlement of the four-year armed conflict.

Antonio Guterres warned that South Sudan faces the spectre of complete
economic collapse, yet the prevailing approach continues to be the
pursuit of military victory.

“This will require determination and a commitment to use all the tools
at our disposal to compel the parties to choose peace. We must
continue to push for a peaceful resolution to the conflict with as
much unity and pressure as we can apply. We must also continue to call
for protection and humanitarian concerns to be addressed immediately,
and for unhindered access to civilian populations,” Guterres said in a
speech before the High-Level Meeting on South Sudan on Friday.

The United Nations, with the African Union (AU) and the
Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), convened this
high-level meeting on the margin of the UN Assembly General New York
to agree on collective measures to support the revitalization of the
political process in South Sudan.

The top UN official pointed out that the shared objective must be to
determine what concrete measures the global community can take either
collectively or individually to bring the fighting to an end and the
parties back to dialogue.

He, also, called for globalized efforts to agree on how best they can
support to regional efforts aimed at revitalizing the peace agreement,
especially through the High-Level Revitalization Forum, and how can
they apply leverage on the parties to heed the will of the
international community.

The government-led national dialogue, he noted, remains to be seen
whether it evolves into the type of broad and representative
undertaking necessary for success.

"The onus is on the government to make this initiative genuine and
inclusive, rather than something done simply as a token display of
commitment to peace," he said.

Stressing that "The delegations and individuals in this room have
stood with the people of South Sudan over the course of the country’s
tragic journey since independence".

Meanwhile, the South Sudan’s First Vice-President, Taban Deng Gai who
attended the meeting expressed commitment of the Transitional
Government of National Unity to restore peace and unity to the people.

He further called on the partners to the peace agreement to allow
access to the humanitarian aids.

Also, UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency
Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcok said, humanitarian needs in South
Sudan to prevent famine continue to remain a challenge.

He appealed for additional flexible and needs-based funding to South
Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan and the South Sudan Regional Refugee
Response Plan, which is underfunded.

Foreign Affairs Ministers from Uganda, Kenyan and Norway reaffirmed
their government’s commitments to Support South Sudan people at the
very hectic situation of war and hunger.

UN Member States, regional organizations, UN partners and members of
the civil society expressed their concern to bring to an end the
chaotic situation in South Sudan.

(ST)