EU Statement – UN General Assembly 3rd Committee: Interactive dialogue with the Commission 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. We acknowledge the C5+ Summit of 29 September 2026 and the Chair's commitment to elections on 22 December under a number of clearly stipulated pre-conditions. We also welcome the constitution of a C5 Task Force to monitor progress and provide political oversight. We stress the need to implement the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

At the same time, we share the deep disappointment of many South Sudanese at the continued violations of the ceasefire, widespread human rights abuses and violations, atrocities and war crimes, the open and continuous [MCS1] dismantlement of the peace agreement, unilateral appointments and the lack of any credible preparations for elections. We are concerned with the lack of protection of civilians, denial of humanitarian access and frequent attacks on aid workers. Rampant corruption directly affects the very basis of existence for people in South Sudan and violates their social and economic rights. Living conditions have not improved, but in certain areas worsened, in particular food security. Extremely high level of food insecurity, up to starvation persists.

The political climate remains tense due to the detention of political prisoners and the ongoing trial against Riek Machar and his right to be tried fairly and without undue delay. The AU’s request – which the EU supports – to consider his release has not been met or addressed, nor has his request for access to legal counsel or visits by family. The lack of commitment to national reconciliation coupled with unresolved grievances leaves little prospect of an improvement of the security situation, but risks further deterioration. This is of grave concern to the EU, given that the regional security situation is becoming increasingly acute, characterised as it is by an increasing interconnection of conflicts. Neither elections nor a change in leadership alone will provide a lasting peace without reconciliation and the provision of basic services to the population. 

Mr Afako,

What steps can national authorities take to safeguard political participation, agreements on human rights and transitional justice commitments, irrespective of electoral timetable?

How can we help to safeguard in a post-election setting – in case elections happen – the acquis of the peace agreement, in particular the human rights provisions and transitional justice?

Thank you.