EU Statement – UN General Assembly 3rd Committee: Interactive dialogue on human rights in South Sudan

Chair,

The European Union thanks the Commission for its valuable work for the people in South Sudan and for its most recent report. We appreciate South Sudan’s continued cooperation with the Commission.

However, we also share the disappointment of many South Sudanese that the Transitional Period was prolonged again in 2024 and that - since the beginning of this year - the parties to the Peace Agreement are violating the ceasefire and the agreement itself. The armed clashes and aerial bombings that we are witnessing in many parts of the country result in illegal recruiting, including child soldiers, fragmentation of forces, widespread human rights abuses and violations, atrocities and possibly war crimes such as the bombing of hospitals. In this context, the monitoring of, reporting on and collecting of evidence regarding alleged violations and abuses of human rights remain essential. Living conditions have not improved, but worsened, in particular food security. 83.000 people face the immediate threat of starvation and two thirds of the country population being acutely food insecure. 

We remain highly concerned by the persisting violence and widespread impunity your last reports point out, as well as further limitations on civic space. Rampant corruption directly affects very basis of existence for people in South Sudan and violates their social and economic rights. In this context we welcome your last report entitled “Plundering a Nation: How Rampant Corruption Unleashed a Human Rights Crisis in South Sudan.” We strongly call on the authorities to take into account the findings of the report and focus on improving public financial management, so that the government can deliver sustainable development and food security for its own people.

Transitional justice is essential to ensure lasting peace. We welcome progress in setting up the Truth Commission and call on South Sudan to establish the Hybrid Court, as per the Revitalized Agreement, and to implement the recommendations of the independent Judicial Committee.

Mr Afako,

Question: How can we help secure that oil and other State revenues contribute to improving the human rights of people in South Sudan? 

Thank you.