UN blames increase in inter-communal violence on delayed formation of state governments
David Shearer, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan and Head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), briefs the Security Council(UN Photo/Loey Felipe)
May 10, 2020 (SSNN) – The United Nations has blamed South Sudan’s increased inter-communal violence on the delayed formation of state governments by the parties to revitalized peace agreement urging the country’s leaders to complete the outstanding tasks in the 2018 peace deal in order to bring lasting peace in the war-torn nation.
The United Nations leadership in South Sudan is exerting enormous efforts and pressure on the main warring parties in the world’s newest states in attempts to ensure that a lasting peace is restored and protected.
David Shearer, head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), said delays in forming state governments have contributed to the breakdown in rule of law as witnessed by recent increase in inter-communal violence in many parts of the country.
“We are concerned that some of this momentum is slowing, in particular, the appointment of state governors across the country,” Shearer told journalists in Juba.
He admitted that the Covid-19 pandemic may affect with the implementation of the agreement but he calls on the parties to the pact to keep the peace momentum and appoint state governors, form a reconstituted parliament and complete the remaining security arrangements in order to move the peace process forward.
“We have seen an increase in inter-communal violence because the governors are not there to stop it,” he added.
Shearer said recent defection of key opposition figures from former rebel leader Riek Machar’s group, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLM-IO), to the army led by President Salva Kiir signals problems within the unity government.
The UN envoy urged the unity government to embark on trust-building among its members in a bid to forge the spirit of unity and togetherness.
On their part, the South Sudanese leaders claim they are making greater efforts to realize a full implementation of a peace agreement signed on September 12, 2018.
Several parties to the peace deal formed a unity government on February 22 but they have so far failed to agree on a formula to establish leadership at the state levels.
Facebook Comments