U.S.: South Sudan Government Risks Losing Legitimacy

The United States Ambassador to the U.N, Dorothy Shea has told the Security Council that the legitimacy of the government of South Sudan, under President Salva Kiir, is on the risk.

The full texts of Dorothy Shea’s statement to the Security Council during the adoption of the resolution to extend the U.N Mission in South Sudan for a year, said the Transitional Government of national unity based on the 2018 peace agreement is currently under immense threat.

“We are troubled by reports of ground attacks, aerial bombardments, indiscriminate use of barrel bombs, and the unconscionable attack on May 3 on a Medecins Sans Frontiers hospital,” said Shea.

Adding: “With the continued detention of First Vice President Machar and senior SPLM-IO officials, military operations against Nuer-majority areas, and continued unilateral actions taken by President Kiir, the government’s legitimacy, which is based on the 2018 peace agreement, is at risk.”

She noted that the transitional government has failed to take the steps required to peacefully conclude the transitional period, and has shown no political will to implement the peace agreement, making UNMISS’ role increasingly difficult.

She called for an urgent end to political violence, the release of the First Vice President, Dr Riek Machar, and return to dialogue.

“To attain peace and prevent resumed civil war, the transitional government must act with all urgency to end the violence, de-escalate political tensions, release First Vice President Machar from house arrest, and open a dialogue between the parties to the conflict,” she said.

The U.N Security Council on Thursday extended the mandate of the UNMISS for another year, until April 30, 2026, as the security situation deteriorates in the world’s youngest nation.

The resolution was introduced by the United States and supported by 11 other Council members, while Russia, China and Pakistan abstained.

In the new mandate, the Security Council authorized the peacekeeping mission to “use all necessary means” to implement its mandate – including the protection of civilians, assisting aid delivery, supporting implementation of the 2018 peace agreement, and investigating violations of international law.

Source: https://chimpreports.com/u-s-south-sudan-government-risks-losing-legitimacy/