Statement [Made on Behalf of the Security Council, at the 8887th Meeting, 27 Oct. 2021, in Connection with the Council's Consideration of the Item Entitled "Reports of the Secretary-General on the Sudan and South Sudan"]

S/PRST/2021/20View PDF

Who adopted this document and its mandates?

A Presidential Statement of the Security Council, under agenda item 216 Reports of the Secretary-General on the Sudan and South Sudan, published in 2021.

What subjects does this mandate have?

4 subjects

Election Verification Elections Internal Security South Sudan

What’s in this document?

9 paragraphs

At the 8887th meeting of the Security Council, held on 27 October 2021, in connection with the Council’s consideration of the item entitled “Reports of the Secretary-General on the Sudan and South Sudan”, the President of the Security Council made the following statement on behalf of the Council:

“The Security Council reiterates its support for the people of South Sudan, and reaffirms its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and national unity of the Republic of South Sudan.

“The Security Council reaffirms its support for the 2018 “Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan” (the Revitalised Agreement). The Security Council welcomes the swearing-in of members of the Transitional National Legislature as an important step in the implementation of the Revitalised Agreement.

“The Security Council takes note of the Secretary-General’s 15 July 2021 letter (S/2021/661), presented pursuant to resolution 2567 (2021), and the conclusion of the needs assessment mission that the “aspirations for peaceful and credible elections in South Sudan are high, albeit tempered by ubiquitous concerns over a fragile security, political and socioeconomic situation.” The Security Council requests the Secretary-General to establish an integrated electoral assistance team led by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), consistent with resolution 2567 (2021), to implement the electoral assistance activities set forth in phase 1 of the Annex to his 15 July 2021 letter (S/2021/661), in support of the elections roadmap detailed in the Revitalised Agreement.

“The Security Council recognizes that conducting free and fair elections, reflecting the will of all South Sudanese and with the full, equal and meaningful participation of women, youths, people with disabilities, displaced persons, refugees, and members of all political groups, will be critical for a transition towards a stable, inclusive, democratic, and self-reliant state. The Security Council underscores that elections will need to be preceded by an inclusive, transparent constitution-drafting process, carried out in an environment that respects freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, and encourages civic engagement.

“The Security Council urges the South Sudanese authorities to make progress on key milestones that include: the necessary security arrangements; the establishment of the legal framework for elections, including the electoral system, boundary delimitation, national census, special measures for internally displaced persons, refugees, out-of-country voting, dispute resolution mechanisms and election observation, as well as on the type and level of elections to be held; the establishment of the composition and functioning of the National Election Commission and the designation of its members, both in Juba and at the sub-national level; and the allocation of resources for the operating costs of the National Election Commission and a budget for elections operations.

“The Security Council expresses its appreciation for the leadership of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in advancing the peace process in South Sudan and welcomes the commitment and efforts of IGAD and its member states, the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), the African Union (AU), including the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC), and countries in the region to continue engaging with South Sudanese leaders to address the current crisis and provide early and sustained support to the electoral processes in South Sudan.

“The Security Council expresses grave concern regarding the increased violence between armed groups in some parts of South Sudan, which has killed and displaced thousands, and condemns all acts of violence, human rights violations and abuses, and violations of international humanitarian law by all parties that have taken place in South Sudan. The Security Council calls on the South Sudanese leaders to take immediate and effective measures to restore stability throughout South Sudan to facilitate the preparation and conduct of free and fair elections, as stipulated in the Revitalised Agreement. The Security Council welcomes the ceasefire call by the Government of South Sudan.

“The Security Council commends the work of UNMISS and expresses its deep appreciation for the actions taken by UNMISS peacekeepers and troop- and police-contributing countries in implementing the UNMISS mandate in a challenging environment.”

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