South Sudan Peace Process Remains Fragile – UNMISS Chief

By Deng Machol

Juba - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission South Sudan has urged the parties to the 2018 peace deal to speed up implementation of the unresolved tasks in order to achieve permanent peace and stability before elections by 2023.

On the eve of his departure after more than four years as the UN’s top envoy in South Sudan, David Shearer, said that the peace process remains fragile, despite the parties having registered some positive progress since the formation of the revitalized transitional government of national unity in February 2020.

“I urge the people and leaders of South Sudan to remain united and energized to push the peace process forward to fully implement the revitalized agreement and hold elections so communities across the country can finally enjoy true peace and prosperity,” said Shearer.

The national and state's legislatives are yet to be established.

The UN chief added that the peace process remains fragile and there is still much to be done.

“While important progress has been made, the peace process remains fragile and there is still much to be done including picking up the pace on constitution-making, transitional justice and economic reform,” Shearer told journalists in Juba during his farewell speech.

Mr. Shearer will soon be replaced by South African Nicholas Haysom who was appointed by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Jan. 15.

“I have been extremely privileged to support South Sudan as it makes the difficult transition from war to recovery and peace. As my four years of service comes to an end, I am proud of the progress that has been made, including the ceasefire, peace deal, formation of a transitional Government and the installation of local leaders in the states," said Shearer.

“I have so much admiration for the South Sudanese who I have enjoyed working alongside immensely. They are tough, resilient, and remarkably patient. I am inspired by their seemingly endless hope as they fight against huge odds to achieve the much brighter future they deserve,” said David Shearer. “I will miss this young country and wish it well from the bottom of my heart," he added.

 He said that courageous decisions need to be made to unify the armed forces of all sides.

Shearer encouraged people still living inside the internally displaced person’s (IDP’s) camps to return to their homes.

According to UN agencies, close to one million people are living in IDP and U.N. camps in the country after being displaced during the outbreak of violence in December 2013 and July 2016 renewed violence respectively.

“I am also pleased and encouraged to see that most people who once fled in fear to UN Protection of Civilians Sites have either returned home or are living in newly transitioned displacement camps under the responsibility of the South Sudanese government,” said Shearer.

He called for an end to the brutal inter-communal violence in most affected areas like Warrap and Jonglei.

“I hope that there is an end to the sporadic but brutal violence that we continue to witness in parts of the country like Jonglei and Warrap, so that the communities can have the opportunity to recover and rebuild their lives,” said Shearer.

Shearer further thanked humanitarian workers for their provision of life-saving assistance to millions of people in need.

“Humanitarians are working in remote, difficult and, sometimes dangerous conditions to deliver much-needed support to vulnerable communities across South Sudan. I thank them for their courage in risking their own health and wellbeing to help others," said Shearer.

Shearer, who paid tribute to the UN agencies which have stood by South Sudan for many years and the almost 20,000 UN peacekeepers who are helping reduce violence and are bringing diverse communities together to reconcile and build peace.

 “UNMISS is a stabilizing force that extends well beyond our physical presence. Our independent surveys have consistently shown that we are welcomed by nearly 80 percent of South Sudanese,” he said. “We are fully committed to securing durable peace by working closely with all political parties alongside regional and international partners.”

UNMISS is also re-focusing its efforts to ensure it is fit-for-purpose in the evolving political and security situation.

“We are redeploying staff and resources to build the capacity of important local institutions, including the courts, the justice system and the national police, and prioritizing technical support for security sector reform as well as the election process. Protection is best done through fair and effective rule of law,” said Shearer.