[video] President Kiir Addresses United Nations General Debate, 78th Session

Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan, addresses the general debate of the 78th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (New York, 19 - 26 September 2023). ----- In his address to the General Assembly’s high-level debate, the President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, today (21 Sep) called upon the United Nations to lift the arms embargo imposed on South Sudan in order to “aid peace implementation and to secure the elections.” Kiir acknowledged “the political, humanitarian and security challenges we have faced as a country since 2013.” However, he said, “we have turned the corner with the signing of the revitalized peace agreement in 2018. Now we are determined to build on the current commitments of our revised national development strategy.” The South Sudanese President said, “the arms embargo has impeded the implementation of security arrangements because effective deployment of the unified forces we have graduated cannot happen without arms.” He said, “South Sudan stands behold this esteemed assembly as a resolute partner in the collective pursuit of a better future for all.” After a series of postponements, general elections in South Sudan are expected to take place in late 2024.