VP Abdelbaqi pleads with partners to revise sanctions

Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi (radiotamazuj.org)

South Sudan’s Vice-President for Services Cluster Hussein Abdelbagi said sanctions imposed by international partners on individuals and entities are a disservice to the country.

The UN Security Council in May renewed an arms embargo and sanctions against South Sudan amid continuing unrest in the country.

The embargo was imposed in 2018 after a peace agreement ended five years of bloody civil war.

“We are calling upon the international community, and the UN in particular, to revise individual and targeted sanctions, arms embargo imposed on South Sudan, to enable successful completion of the remaining provisions of the peace agreement outlined in the New Roadmap,” Hussein Abdelbagi said while addressing the UN General Assembly in New York.  

On 4 August, the parties to the 2018 peace agreement agreed on a roadmap to complete the remaining tasks under the agreement, which will pave the way for elections when the transitional period ends in 2025. 

Mr. Abdelbagi also reported on other obstacles South Sudan is facing, saying up to 80 per cent of the country has been affected by floods for the past three years, making it evident that “climate change is real”. 

He called on the international community to support the authorities and reach all the flood and drought-affected areas and communities.

The Vice-President also said the government conducted an analysis earlier this year, which revealed that an estimated 6.8 million people, more than half the population, are facing food insecurity, with some 2.37 million at emergency level. 

“The severe food insecurity is worsened by combinations of shocks including flooding, prolonged draught, physical insecurity, and the effects of COVID-19,” he said. 

COVID-19 impacts 

Addressing the pandemic, Mr. Abdelbagi reported that South Sudan has been able to contain coronavirus spread “through thoughtful and targeted actions”.

As of 9 May, only 17,513 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 138 deaths, have been reported since the start of the pandemic, and vaccine coverage stands at 45 per cent among adults. 

“Despite this positive health news, the pandemic has had negative effects on the economy, starting with dramatic declines in domestic production and revenue collection, followed by a rising cost of living,” he said. 

“These economic consequences are far-reaching, severely weakening, for example, human capital formation, especially in education, as the lockdown deprived school-age children of learning opportunities.” 

Promoting peace

Mr. Abdelbagi also highlighted South Sudan’s efforts to promote peace and stability, both in the region and beyond. 

 “South Sudan stands ready to mediate the current conflict between the army and the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) in Sudan so that Sudan can finally enjoy lasting peace,” he said. 

Recently, the authorities offered to mediate between Egypt and Ethiopia in their disagreement over the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, and in other situations that include the Tigray conflict. 

“By participating in bringing regional peace and stability, South Sudan has demonstrated its ability as a reliable partner in quest for regional and international peace and security,” he said. 

“Further, the Republic of South Sudan is contributing one battalion of peacekeeping forces to be part of the East African Forces to bring peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo,” he said.

Turning to the war in Ukraine, Mr. Abdelbagi pointed to how it has devastated lives in the country and affected the global economy. 

“From the moral point of view, the South Sudan Government is calling on Russia and Ukraine to cease all forms of hostilities and resolve the dispute through diplomatic and constructive dialogue to avert further consequences,” he said.