Feb 24, 2017(Nyamilepedia) —– Expressing deep concerns on the ongoing humanitarian crises in South Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, and north-east Nigeria, the new Secretary-General António Guterres said the UN Security Council has agreed that South Sudan crisis cannot be resolved without a political resolution to the conflict based on full implementation of the 2015 peace agreement.
According to new reports, 40% of South Sudan’s population is currently in dire need of food aid as famine begins in Africa’s new state.
Another 2.8 millions who have crossed the borders to neighbouring countries are facing servere shortage of food in refugees camps across Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Sudan.
“The members of the Security Council expressed deep alarm that famine has been declared in parts of South Sudan and concern that 40% of the population faces food insecurity. This is a direct consequence of the conflict and the obstruction of humanitarian access.” Said the new Secretary General.
“They agreed that the humanitarian crisis will not be resolved without resolution of the political crisis on the basis of the full implementation of the 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan” The Secretary General continued.
The members of the Security Council condemned the fighting, in particular in the regions of Upper Nile and the Equatoria and called on all parties to cease hostilities and allow immediate humanitarian access to populations in need.
The members of the Security Council ‎were deeply concerned about the human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law and urged the government to hold perpetrators accountable and to fully implement Chapter V of the peace agreement.
The members of the Security Council were united in condemning obstructions to UNMISS and harassment of UN personnel, and they called for immediate compliance with the Status of Forces Agreement with the UN.
The members of the Security Council were concerned with various delays, due to different reasons, in the deployment of the Regional Protection Force, and reiterated their call on the government to work constructively with the UN on deployment of the Force.
The members of the Security Council recalled the Joint Press Statement by the AU, IGAD and the UN of 29 January 2017. They underlined an important positive role that regional actors, in particular the African Union and IGAD through the efforts by High Representative Konare and Chairperson Mogae, as well as the UN and civil society, including the church, can play in advancing peace in South Sudan.
The Council is still figuring out an alternative approach to resolve the conflict as earlier attempts have failed.
Despite that Salva Kiir government agreed to deployment of regional forces and also agreed to allow humanitarian access during the visit of the UNSC members to Juba late last year, the government has continued to frustrate deployment of the regional forces and denied access to most affected areas of Upper Nile, Western Bhar el Ghazal and Equatorial.
