Pakistan Urges Political Dialogue in South Sudan for the People's Welfare on 16April,2025

United Nations, April 16, 2025: Noting the risk of reversal of the gains made under the Revitalized Peace Agreement (R-ARCSS) over the past seven years in South Sudan, Pakistan has urged the parties to engage in direct dialogue for the benefit of the people of South Sudan.

Pakistan extended its support for an inclusive dialogue between the government and the opposition, and commended the efforts made by Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) Haysom in this regard.

In a national statement during the UNSC briefing on situation in South Sudan, Ambassador Usman Jadoon called on the parties to engage in good faith with the SRSG and with the regional mediation efforts, particularly by the African Union (AU), and other partners.

Ambassador Judoon said that the arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar and other senior SPLM-IO officials has undermined the peace process. He said that Pakistan supports the demand of African Union and others for the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Machar and detained opposition figures to restore trust in the political process.

The Revitalized Peace Agreement should be fully implemented, without delay, he stated.

Ambassador Usman Judoon expressed Pakistan’s deep concern at the humanitarian crisis, which, he said, is being compounded by the rise in political tensions. He said that 9.3 million people – three quarters of the population – need assistance, and 7.7 million are suffering acute food insecurity.

“The 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan is only 10.5% resourced. The funding gap must be urgently met to prevent famine and disease outbreaks,” he added.

Ambassador Jadoon described the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) as a force of stability in a volatile region. He greatly appreciated the sacrifices and efforts of the UNMISS peacekeepers aimed at consolidating peace and development in South Sudan under challenging circumstances.

The Pakistan deputy UN envoy said that UNMISS has been instrumental in reducing community violence through its patrolling. He said that in a single month – March 2025, UNMISS has conducted 8,551 patrols by land, air and river to protect civilians, deter conflict, and ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian aid as well as logistical supplies to UNMISS bases.

He said that UNMISS engineering contingents are rehabilitating thousands of kilometers of roads and other critical infrastructure to support safe communication, travel, trade, and peacebuilding.

“Peacekeeping engineers from Pakistan have built and are maintaining 80 kilometers of dykes in Bentiu, protecting 300,000 people stranded on a tiny sliver of land surrounded by 5,400 square kilometers of floodwaters,’ he said while highlighting the contributions of Pakistani peacekeeprs.

He said that keeping in view the crucial tasks being performed by UNMISS, we encourage the South Sudanese government to cooperate fully with the Mission in the performance of its mandate and meeting its operational needs.

In this regard, the issue of Tomping base must also be resolved amicably,

“UNMISS is currently operating with 3,000 troops less than its sanctioned strength. The military assessment has been clear that the Mission needs those troops to perform its mandate effectively. Keeping in view the deteriorating situation on the ground, UNMISS must be adequately strengthened and reinforced to face the new realities on ground,” Ambassador Usman Jadoon demanded.