Pakistan has cautioned the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) that the deteriorating political and security environment in South Sudan risks eroding hard-won peace gains, urging all parties to uphold the 2018 Revitalised Peace Agreement.
Speaking at the Council’s debate on Monday, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, described the situation as “sliding backwards at a time when it needs to move forward.” He emphasised that the peace accord remains the cornerstone of stability and called for an immediate end to hostilities.
Ambassador Ahmad demanded the release of detained political leaders, underscoring that “trust and inclusion are essential for any transition and durable peace.” He described the planned elections in December 2026 as a “ray of hope,” but warned they would require credible conditions, international backing, and an atmosphere of political inclusivity.
Highlighting the worsening humanitarian crisis, he pointed to armed conflict, climate shocks, disease outbreaks, and spill-over effects from Sudan, warning that “indifference could be as deadly as violence.”
The envoy praised the role of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), commending Pakistani peacekeepers for constructing over 80 kilometres of protective dykes, securing humanitarian routes, and safeguarding displaced communities. He condemned attacks on peacekeepers and aid workers as “war crimes that must not go unpunished.”
Calling for full resources and political support for UNMISS, Ambassador Ahmad concluded: “South Sudan’s path may be difficult, but not impossible. With genuine political will, national ownership, and global solidarity, peace and stability can be achieved.”
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