Statement by the Delegation of Ukraine at the UN Security Council Briefing on the Situation in South Sudan

Mr. President,

I thank the Secretary-General and other briefers for their comprehensive presentations on the situation in South Sudan. I also commend the United Kingdom for providing a timely opportunity to discuss further international efforts required to resolve the conflict in the world’s youngest nation.

Basically – and tragically – almost all the worst fears about the fate of the country have become a reality. South Sudan is on the verge of chaos. Millions have been displaced from their homes. The economy is in ruins. Hunger and poverty are rampant.

As the South Sudanese people suffer, the warring parties continue pursuing their goals through military solutions. Killing, abductions, rape, looting, and burning of homes – this is now a daily, horrifying routine in South Sudan. Yet, in recent months the situation has sunk to unprecedented new lows with reports of growing ethnic violence and declaration of famine in some parts of the country.

Just one example – the Leer County in the Unity State. It is one of the epicenters of the famine, where more than 100,000 people face imminent starvation.

Villages are deserted. Gunmen from both sides have torched crops and chased farmers from their fields. People are hiding in swamps. They eat water lily roots and occasional fish they manage to catch. No schools. No health services. Nothing but a fear to lose the only thing which is still theirs – people’s lives.

It is a shame that all this is happening in the 21th century. It is a disgrace that we – the international community – have allowed this happen. It is an outrage that the South Sudanese political leaders have failed to shoulder their responsibility towards their own people.

Time is not on our side. But as long as we do not stand idly, this human tragedy can still be averted.

How can we achieve that?

We need to shake up the deadly status quo and to divert the energies currently squandered on war to instead focus on advancing peace.

Public statements of condemnation and threats of consequences without action will not help. Both sides largely discount them all as barking without biting.

Biting requires a ‘get-tough’ approach that could actually alter calculations and influence behavior. If we are to stop the fighting, the flow of arms must be cut off. If we are to prevent public funds from being used for personal purposes, they must be inaccessible for certain individuals. If we are to stop attacks on civilians, perpetrators must be held accountable.

That is why Ukraine believes that an arms embargo and additional targeted sanctions are still relevant in order not to let South Sudan slide into war and chaos. We do not believe it will be a panacea. However, we are convinced that these measures will reduce the ability of the parties to continue fueling the conflict. It will help to silence the already procured military equipment and to stop spending desperately needed financial resources on new weaponry.

Mr. President,

Ukraine is convinced that the conflict in South Sudan does not have a military solution. An inclusive political dialogue within the framework of the 2015 peace agreement is the only way to restore peace and stability in the country. In this regard, we welcome the initiative of the Government of South Sudan to launch a national dialogue initiative aimed at promoting national reconciliation and inter-communal harmony among all groups in South Sudan.

However, for this initiative to be credible and effective, hostilities must immediately cease, the rule of law must be restored and the humanitarian aid must be allowed to reach those in need.

Finally, I would like to express Ukraine’s full support for the Secretary-General’s commitment to work closely with the African Union, IGAD member states and other partners to ensure the inclusivity in the implementation of the peace agreement and the national dialogue process.

As one of the troop and police contributors to the UN Mission in South Sudan, Ukraine will further actively back UN peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts in this fragile country.

I thank you.