Nicholas Haysom, who also heads the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (SKIP), briefed ambassadors on political, security and humanitarian developments in the world’s youngest country, which is scheduled to hold its first post-independence elections in December.
Proposed tentative election date
The latest UNMISS report covers the period from mid-February to mid-July, when political parties continued to discuss key steps needed for the vote and resolve outstanding issues under the transition roadmap stemming from the 2018 peace agreement.
Mr. Haysom speak The high-level standing committee overseeing the implementation of the peace deal has completed its report and a preliminary version was released on Tuesday night.
“On the important issue of election day, we understand, however, that no date has yet been agreed upon and that The president has appointed election organizations to come up with feasible proposals for when these elections should be held.“, he said.
Talks in Nairobi
Meanwhile, a second dialogue process was launched in May in Nairobi between the transitional government of national unity and the non-signatories of the peace agreement.
The negotiations, known as Tumaini Initiativeseek to ensure that non-signatories, civil society, religious groups and traditional leaders participate in the peace process.
The Tumaini Initiative proposed new monitoring, oversight and implementation mechanisms along with a National Leadership Council structure.
However, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in opposition (SPLM/IO), led by Resident Vice President Riek Machar, announced last month that they would withdraw from the talks.“cited concerns that the Tumaini Initiative addressed issues that had been agreed in the Reconstructed Peace Agreement and therefore exceeded the scope of its mandate,” Mr. Haysom said.
“It is not yet clear whether the SPLM/IO will reverse that decision but according to reports last night, there are indications that the decision is being reconsidered,” he added.
The United Nations maintains dialogue
Mr. Haysom said UNMISS has used its good offices to engage stakeholders in these ongoing processes.
He stressed that the Mission “does not advocate any process as a monopoly but rather promote the constructive integration of the two”, adding that both must “move at an accelerated pace to meet the aspirations of the people of South Sudan”.
Regarding the overall implementation of the peace agreement and roadmap, he noted that actions have been taken, including providing funding to the National Constitution Review Commission and appointing state-level Election Committees, while the National Election Commission (NEC) has begun assessing the infrastructure and equipment needed for the vote.
A protective environment for elections
So far, 29 political parties have registered to take part in the election, which the NEC announced last month would take place on December 22.
“However, I note that There are ongoing consultations among political stakeholders on whether elections can or should be held this year.. This makes it difficult to consider December 22 as a definitive trigger in isolation from other important factors,” he said.
Mr. Haysom added that if elections are held in December, UNMISS will provide reports on the security situation every 90, 60 and 30 days.
Meanwhile, the Mission continues to support the establishment of a conducive environment for the elections, focusing on dialogue and interaction, physical protection and creating a “broader protective environment”.
‘A perfect storm’ is approaching
Turning to the humanitarian situation, he warned that “a perfect storm is brewing in South Sudan”.
The looming crisis is compounded by chronic food insecurity, the fallout from war in neighboring Sudan, political instability, a rapidly deteriorating economy due to disruptions to vital oil infrastructure and revenues, and the prospect of unprecedented flooding in September.
“Any one of these factors alone is a significant challenge. Combined, it could push the country to a tipping point. – and all at a time when the people of South Sudan are entering a difficult phase of nation-building,” he said.
Millions of people need humanitarian aid
Edem Wosurnu of the United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs, OCHAexpand on the correspondent’s comments.
She speak More than nine million people in South Sudan, 76 percent of the population, are in need of humanitarian assistance and protection. The majority, 54 percent, are children and 24 percent are women.
In total, just over seven million South Sudanese are acutely food insecure, an increase of around 1.5 million from last year. In addition, 2.5 million children and women are at risk of acute malnutrition, a figure that is expected to rise to 2.7 million by December due to the impact of the crisis in Sudan.
‘Famine zones’ predicted
“Our food security experts’ mid-year projections show that flooding combined with conflict could trigger famine between June 2024 and January 2025,” she said.
The impact of the floods has been felt in some communities. Since May, heavy rains and the estimated amount of water from Lake Victoria have caused the Nile to rise, affecting 300,000 people.
“At the peak of the flood season, which is expected to run from September to October, floods could affect 3.3 million people,” Ms Wosurnu said.
“This includes communities that have yet to recover from the devastating floods that occurred between 2019 and 2022 and displaced more than a million people each year.”
Impact of the Sudan War
Meanwhile, South Sudan is the country hardest hit by the displacement crisis caused by the war in Sudan that began in April 2023.
Nearly 780,000 people fleeing the fighting have crossed the border, including 580,000 returning South Sudanese.
“Many people are arriving in areas that have not been prioritised for assistance. They are often malnourished, in poor physical condition and in need of immediate life-saving assistance,” she said.
Again, the new arrivals are predominantly women and children, many of whom need specialist support for trauma and gender-based violence.
Humanitarians are under attack
Despite the challenges, humanitarian operations continued in South Sudan, reaching more than 2.6 million of the six million people in need this year, Ms Wosurnu said, but she also highlighted the dangers they faced.
“As we prepare to mark World Humanitarian Day next week, It is worth reminding the Council that South Sudan remains one of the most dangerous places for humanitarian operations.“, she said.
There were 237 “humanitarian access incidents” reported in the first half of 2024, and 46 percent involved violence against personnel and property, she added, adding that four humanitarian workers had been killed in the line of duty since 2023, while aid convoys had been subjected to illegal taxation and looting.
The humanitarian response also continues to be underfunded, she added. A $1.8 billion plan to fund operations this year has received just $561 million so far.
