31 January, New York -- EU statement at Ambassadorial-level meeting of the Peace Building Commission on South Sudan, delivered by Mr. Ewout Stoefs, First Secretary, EU Delegation to the UN
- Thank you Chair for bringing us together today, and for sharing your insights and recommendations from your visit to South Sudan. We also thank the honourable Minister and the briefers for their participation.
- The EU has accompanied South Sudan since the first day of its independence and we will continue to support the peace process and the country’s economic and social development.
- The EUSR for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore visited South Sudan on 21/23 November 2022 to demonstrate solidarity with the South Sudanese population and call on its leaders for increased ownership and responsibility in providing services and security to its population.
- While the EU remains fully committed, I want to stress that it is key that the Government takes full ownership in providing security and development to its own population and in steering the course of its democratic transition, in particular regarding elections and constitution making. The new timelines of the roadmap need to be respected.
- As a signal of confidence and solidarity, the EU adopted, in December 2021, a new seven-year development programme for South Sudan to support good governance, green growth and social services. We are glad to say implementation is progressing, including our support for elections.
- The continued violence and the horrendous human rights violations are of grave concern. In our analysis, violence that is framed as “communal conflicts” is often driven by national elites and can be an extension of disputes within central authorities. Leaders can mobilize communities to fight for them, but these leaders, also with grass root movement, can also sensitise communities to choose against violence and for accountability, peace and human rights.
- Another area of concern is the shrinking civic space over the last two years. We call on the government to see civil society as a partner, rather than a threat, in particular Human Rights Defenders.
- The EU supports all efforts that contribute to reducing and ending the violence and reinforcing security. In this context and on a positive note, we welcome the ongoing graduation of unified forces, which now needs to be completed and deployed as soon as possible.
- The monitoring and verification mechanism of the Peace Agreement (CTSAMVM), 60% of which is funded by the EU, is a useful instrument in making sure that the cease-fire holds. The Government needs to grant full access to the monitors of CTSAMVM for to the sites requested in order to better verify security incidents.
