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The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations urged South Sudan’s leaders to cooperate to hold free, fair and transparent elections to end the country’s transition period since independence in 2011.
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield made the comments during a briefing to the UN Security Council on Wednesday during a meeting to discuss South Sudan, adding: “The people of this country are long overdue for the peace, security and freedom they have long demanded, fought for and deserve.”
“It is therefore imperative that South Sudan’s leaders and parties engage in dialogue immediately to conclude the transitional period that began in 2011 through peaceful and legitimate elections,” she said. “We have seen steps in the right direction. These include the Kenyan-led Toumani Initiative, which brokered negotiations between the Transitional Government and non-signatories to the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. The United States calls on other regional and international partners to provide stronger support for this effort.”
Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield added: “We also recognize and commend the ongoing efforts of UNMISS, the AU and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development to help South Sudan ensure a transparent, fair and inclusive electoral process.”
She stressed that free and fair elections are not just a matter of election day, but require open civic and political spaces every day for all to meaningfully participate in democracy.
“As a result, the United States and many other diplomatic missions are deeply concerned that if the NSA Act is passed into law, its provisions could further erode the country’s political and civic environment,” the envoy warned. “By allowing for warrantless arrests, the NSA Act will restrict free expression. We urge the transitional government to reconsider.”
She also stressed that they were alarmed that over the past five months the Transitional Government had imposed taxes and levies on United Nations, humanitarian and diplomatic goods, which had a significant impact on humanitarian and peacekeeping operations due to the difficulties South Sudan had in importing fuel.
“These imposed taxes and fees have forced the World Food Programme to cut United Nations Humanitarian Air Service flights in half; halt humanitarian airdrops for 145,000 people; and delay the pre-positioning of humanitarian supplies ahead of the rainy season, according to the Secretary-General’s July 29 report,” Thomas-Greenfield asserted. “Today, more than 8 million people in South Sudan are suffering from severe food insecurity, a number that is likely to rise as more Sudanese refugees flee south. Suffering of this magnitude requires a response of equal magnitude.”
She added: “To this end, the United States calls on the Transitional Government to urgently establish a clear and consistent system of waiving taxes, duties, and fees for UNMISS, United Nations specialized agencies, the diplomatic corps, international donors and their contractors, grantees, and South Sudan’s implementing partners so that they can continue to assist the people of South Sudan during this most difficult time.”
The diplomat was adamant that these were the people the government should be held accountable for but were being ignored by it.
“Of course, ending taxes and fees that impede the delivery of aid is necessary, but alone they are not enough. We urge the Transitional Government to not only reduce the costs of life-saving assistance and protection, but also mitigate risks by ensuring unrestricted freedom of movement for UNMISS personnel and humanitarians delivering aid,” she said. “The United States reminds the Transitional Government that the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between South Sudan and UNMISS provides the Mission with unrestricted freedom of movement and that the Transitional Government has a responsibility to abide by it. Violations of the SOFA threaten the safety of UN peacekeepers and are a matter of grave concern to the Council.”
Thomas-Greenfield said they have seen an alarming increase in violence against civilians in South Sudan. In the first quarter of 2024, nearly a thousand civilians were killed, injured, kidnapped and sexually assaulted, 24% higher than the same period last year.
“We urgently call on the Transitional Government to ensure the safety of civilians. Colleagues, with elections and the rainy season approaching, South Sudan is at a critical crossroads,” she concluded. “The Transitional Government has the opportunity to choose a path of peace and prosperity, rather than fear and despair. We urge it to make the right choice.”
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