Mr President,

Thank you for the opportunity to address the Council today. I am here to provide an update on the situation in South Sudan and to outline our priorities for the coming months.

The situation in South Sudan remains deeply concerning. While the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) has brought a reduction in large-scale violence, critically important challenges persist. Political tensions are high, and the pace of implementation of key provisions of the agreement is slow. Subnational violence, driven by competition over resources and ancient grievances, continues to displace communities and undermine stability.

We are especially worried about the escalating humanitarian crisis. Over 7 million people – more than half the population – are in need of humanitarian assistance. Food insecurity is at alarming levels, and the risk of famine is real. The ongoing conflict and displacement are exacerbating these challenges, making it challenging for humanitarian actors to reach those in need.

UNMISS plays a vital role in protecting civilians,monitoring and investigating human rights violations,and supporting the implementation of the peace agreement.We are working closely with the government of South Sudan and other stakeholders to address the challenges we face.

Looking ahead, we will continue to prioritise the protection of civilians, with a particular focus on women and girls who are disproportionately affected by violence. We will also strengthen our efforts to promote accountability for human rights violations and to support the transitional justice process.

We are committed to working with the government of South Sudan to create an environment conducive to sustainable peace and progress. This includes supporting the implementation of the R-ARCSS, promoting good governance, and strengthening the rule of law.

We also recognize the importance of addressing the root causes of conflict. This requires tackling issues such as poverty, inequality, and lack of access to basic services. We will continue to work with our partners to support initiatives that promote economic development and social inclusion.

UNMISS is increasingly integrating gender considerations across its good offices,protection activities and reporting. The 2024 UNMISS mandate now includes the strongest UN position on climate issues to date and the mission shoudl continue this work, calling for a better understanding of how climate stresses affect peace and security.

The direct participation of civil society representatives in Council meetings, especially women working to mitigate and resolve conflict in South Sudan, will be essential in this endeavour.

The people of South sudan deserve a future marked by peace, stability and self-reliance. We bear a collective duty to help them finally realize the promise of their independence.

I thank you, Mr President.