While addressing the United Nations 78th General Assembly in New York on Thursday, President Salva Kiir Mayardit attributed the delay of peace and security arrangement implementation to the arms embargo imposed on South Sudan.
In February 2023, the government spokesperson reiterated that the arms embargo has been an obstacle in the previous transitional periods and will continue to be an obstacle if it is not lifted.
The UNSC Resolution 2428 directs all UN member states to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale, or transfer of arms to the territory of South Sudan
Thus, President Kiir calls on the United General Assembly to lift the arms embargo.
‘‘We call upon the United Nations to lift the arm embargo imposed on us to aid peace implementation and to secure the elections,” he said.
‘‘The arms embargo has impeded the implementation of security 7 arrangements because effective deployment of the Unified Forces we graduated cannot happen without arms.’’
Unification and deployment being a contentious issue, the government argues that this is difficult to implement due to lack of weapons after the UN Security Council imposed an arms embargo on the world’s youngest country amid violent conflict in 2018.
Kiir stated that the unity government is determined to see that the peace process is owned and driven by the people.
He says the government has engaged in dialogue and consultation with various stakeholders, including civil society, women, youth, traditional leaders, and opposition groups as a commitment towards peace realization in the country.
Furthermore, he acknowledged the political, humanitarian and security challenges being faced by the country since 2013.
Kiir said: ‘‘We have turned the corner with the signing of the Revitalized Peace Agreement in 2018. Now, we are determined to build on the commitments of our Revised National Development Strategy (2021-2024) to consolidate peace and stabilize the economy.”
‘‘The on-going public financial management reforms and the recently concluded National Economic Conference form a solid basis for sound management of public resources for the benefit of our citizens.’’
On Climate Change, Kiir said South Sudan is dedicated to addressing its adverse impact.
He says plans are underway to ensure that sustaining land use is prioritized, promote renewable energy, and collaborate with international partners to reduce carbon 5 emissions and protect our environment for generations to come.
‘‘While working on this, it is only fair for us to call upon developed countries to cut their emission by 45% and honor their pledges of availing funds for Mitigation, Adaptation and Loss and Damage to the developing countries,” Kiir appealed.
Kiir also while addressing the general assembly appealed to the International Community to avail resources to help refugees and displaced persons who crossed into South Sudan fleeing the Sudan conflict.
‘‘As the country sharing the border with the Republic of Sudan, South Sudan has received thousands of Sudanese refugees and returnees since the conflict broke out in Sudan in April. This influx has overwhelmed our border communities and created a humanitarian crisis,” he added.
