Madam President,
I would like to thank Special Representative Nicholas Haysom, General Tai Gituai, Chairman of the reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, and Professor Marco Impagliazzo, President of the Sant’Egidio Community, for their briefings. I would also like to welcome the representative of South Sudan.
Madam President,
We are concerned by the delay in implementing the roadmap. Preparing for the elections scheduled for South Sudan at the end of 2024 requires, in particular, a legislative and constitutional framework, the establishment of institutions and the allocation of budgetary resources.
The United Nations has been mandated to provide technical assistance to complement the efforts of the authorities. We also encourage the authorities to preserve the conditions for democratic debate.
Madam President,
France is concerned about the impact of the conflict in Sudan on the stability of South Sudan. The conflict has already worsened the humanitarian situation, with over 100,000 refugees returning to South Sudan.
France and the European Union stand in solidarity with the countries in the region. The European Union will provide 81 million euros in humanitarian assistance to South Sudan in 2023. France has mobilized 41.3 million euros to address the humanitarian crisis in Sudan and its impact on neighboring countries.
We also recognize the mediation efforts of South Sudan and IGAD to resolve the current crisis in Sudan, and call on both parties to urgently cease fighting, respecting the 72-hour ceasefire that came into effect on June 18, and to engage in the proposed mediations.
Madam President,
This regional context should not distract our attention from South Sudan and its political transition. France welcomes the region’s efforts to support this process. On May 24, the member states of the European Union approved 5.8 million euros in funding for IGAD’s monitoring mechanisms.
We also support the work of UNMISS, which continues to provide essential protection for civilians and capacity-building in South Sudan. France is contributing via our local embassy by supporting reinsertion projects and by providing expertise in the management of arms and munitions stockpiles.
The South Sudanese authorities must take full advantage of the support of the United Nations, the region and the international community to speed up the implementation of the political transition. This is vital at a time when regional instability is exacerbating existing vulnerabilities.
Thank you very much.
Source: Delegfrance
