18.08.2025 Statement by Denmark for UNSC Briefing on South Sudan (UNMISS)

Checked Against Delivery

Thank you, Mr. President,

Let me also thank the briefers for their insightful interventions.  I also welcome the representative of South Sudan to the Chamber.

South Sudan’s potential relapse into large-scale conflict remains a significant concern. The ongoing violence targeting civilians, coupled with the threat of escalation, is deeply alarming – particularly in the context of severe and widespread acute food insecurity and a deadly cholera outbreak.

Denmark urges all parties to prioritize the well-being of the South Sudanese  and calls for an immediate cessation of all hostilities. We commend the diplomatic efforts of regional organizations, including the AU-PSC and IGAD’s recent visit field visit to Juba.  We strongly encourage full engagement by the authorities in South Sudan with these initiatives. 

Mr. President,

I will focus on three points. 

First, the 2018 Peace Agreement remains the most viable pathway to sustainable peace. It is imperative that all parties, both in government and opposition, reaffirm their commitment to its full implementation.

We strongly urge President Kiir to unconditionally reverse his decision and to release First Vice President Riek Machar. His detention without due process is detrimental to dialogue and reconciliation efforts and undermines the prospects for peace. The international community must be allowed to communicate with the First Vice President.

Furthermore, Denmark calls for renewed and inclusive mediation efforts, which include civil society representatives, women and youth among others.  The people of South Sudan deserve to have agency, and a clear voice in shaping the peaceful future of their country.

Second,

UNMISS remains a cornerstone of peace and stability efforts especially in supporting the implementation of the Peace Agreement.  We commend its ongoing commitment, especially in its work to protect civilians and its support for civil society organizations. We call on all parties to fully cooperate with UNMISS so it can carry out the tasks assigned by this Council.

We also support UNMISS’s efforts in facilitating dialogue between communities, given the significant presence of intercommunal violence.

As highlighted in the stakeout by the joint pledge-holders on climate, peace and security ahead of this meeting, the adverse effects of climate change, including extreme flooding, are triggering significant displacement and conflicts over land and resources. Denmark remains committed to supporting the continued integration of climate, peace, security considerations into the Mission's operations, in alignment with its mandate.

We support UNMISS's monitoring of human rights violations. We are alarmed by the sharp increase in violations, including conflict-related sexual violence, which have reached the highest number in a single quarter since 2020. We reiterate our call for holding the perpetrators accountable and recall the obligation for all actors to comply with international humanitarian law and human rights law.  The transitional justice institutions envisaged for South Sudan including the hybrid court, must be established and must become operational, to prosecute those bearing the greatest responsibility for atrocities.

Third,

The latest IPC report reveals that over half the population, 7.7 million people, faces acute food insecurity. Reductions in humanitarian funding are having a devastating impact, undermining efforts to meet urgent needs. At the same time, persistent insecurity and conflicts continue to severely restrict humanitarian access especially in opposition-held areas.

In South Sudan, and across the world, we condemn the targeting and killing of humanitarian personnel and demand full accountability for such attacks.

Mr. President,

The ongoing conflict in neighbouring Sudan continues to drive thousands of people across borders in search of safety, placing additional strain on South Sudan. We remain deeply concerned about the negative interlinkages between violent conflicts in the two countries, and their possible ramifications  should be monitored closely .

In conclusion,

Denmark reiterates its commitment to supporting UNMISS and the people of South Sudan as they strive to secure a future anchored in peace, stability and sustainable development. We call on all stakeholders – local, national and regional – to redouble their efforts in support of a peaceful transition,

Thank you.