Statement by the Deputy Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador João Genésio de Almeida Filho, at the UNSC meeting on the situation in South Sudan - September 16ht, 2022

Thank you, Madame President.

Let me begin by thanking for their informative briefings Special Representative Haysom and Ms. Riziq.

I also welcome the delegation of South Sudan to this session.

Our delegation will raise four issues in this meeting.

First, we join the United Nations, the African Union, and IGAD in welcoming South Sudan's roadmap to amend the Revitalized Agreement and extend the transitional period.

We encourage the parties to the Revitalized Agreement to perceive the roadmap as an incentive to implement the Agreement's clauses.

The parties may lose valuable impetus if they see the roadmap as simply a delay to the Revitalized Agreement's commitments.

Second, we commend South Sudan's Transitional Government and the parties to the Revitalized Agreement for the graduation of the first batch of the Necessary Unified Forces.

 We converge with the Secretary-General and Special Representative Haysom's assessment that a unified defense force is a momentous expression of national unity.

We hope that the graduation contributes to positive momentum, stimulates each party to the Revitalized Agreement to recommit to its implementation, and contributes, above all, to peace in South Sudan.

Third, we are concerned about intercommunal violence in South Sudan.

We commend UNMISS's proactive deployment of mobile structures and alert responses to conflict hotspots in many parts of the country.

However, extrajudicial killings in Unity State, heavy fighting between armed factions in the Upper Nile State, and the disturbing conflict-related sexual violence incidents in many parts of South Sudan are cases that demand bolder reactions from South Sudanese authorities.

Fourth, we are apprehensive about the humanitarian crisis in South Sudan.

It is alarming that two-thirds of the South Sudanese population, or almost eight million people, are expected to face extreme food insecurity and malnutrition.

It is also disconcerting that South Sudan remains one of the most dangerous places for humanitarian workers.

Therefore, we commend the partners that have provided relief to South Sudanese families, call for additional humanitarian funding, and request particular attention to the safety of humanitarian personnel.

We also would like to highlight the participation of Brazil at UNMISS – including through the presence of a Brazilian Force Chief of Staff – as a token of our commitment to promoting durable peace in South Sudan.

In conclusion, Madame President, we encourage the Transitional Government and the Revitalized Agreement parties to implement the roadmap earnestly.

Above all, we underscore our support for South Sudan and UNMISS.

And I thank you.