South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Benjamin Takpiny
The Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan Nicholas Haysom, has urged the parties to the 2018 revitalized peace agreement signatories to de-escalate tensions and prevent the deteriorating political and security situation from relapsing into widespread conflict.
“The overriding imperative now is to urgently avert a relapse into full-scale conflict, refocus efforts on accelerating the implementation of the Agreement, and advance the transition towards South Sudan’s first democratic elections,” said Haysom during a briefing to the UN Security Council on Wednesday .
He warned that the current conditions are reminiscent of the 2013 and 2016 conflicts, where over 400,000 lives were lost.
Haysom underscored the need for a collective effort by national and international stakeholders to secure a cessation of hostilities and preserve the integrity of the Revitalized Agreement.
“UNMISS is engaging in intensive diplomatic efforts, jointly with all stakeholders, to broker a peaceful solution, despite a “new low in trust” between the principal parties,” he stated.
“Another war is a risk South Sudan simply cannot afford, nor can the wider region,” he concluded.
UNMISS is continuing to robustly protect civilians, enhance human rights and the rule of law, as well as support the peace process, within its mandate and capacities.
