In Rwanda, Ban meets with African leaders on situation in South Sudan

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (second from right) arrives in Kigali, Rwanda. UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

15 July 2016 – Ahead of the 27th African Union (AU) Summit taking place in Kigali, Rwanda, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today met with several African leaders to discuss the situation in South Sudan.

In a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Algeria, Ramtane Lamamra, the Secretary-General acknowledged the role of the AU High-Level ad hoc Committee on South Sudan, of which Algeria is a member, and reiterated his grave concern regarding the situation in South Sudan.

Mr. Ban informed Mr. Lamamra of the three suggestions he made to the Security Council earlier this week: to implement an arms embargo on the country; impose targeted sanctions on individuals responsible for the latest fighting; and ensure the reinforcement of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

The Secretary-General also praised the efforts being deployed by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the AU to address the prevailing situation in South Sudan and facilitate the implementation of the peace agreement, according to a statementissued by Mr. Ban’s office.

The Secretary-General and the Foreign Minister also exchanged views on UN efforts relating to several issues. On Western Sahara, the Secretary-General welcomed the progress being made towards a return to full functionality of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), as mandated by the Security Council.

Regarding Libya, the leaders underlined the importance of the Libya Political Agreement and the need for continued efforts to advance national reconciliation, and shared their concern regarding the presence of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant/Da’esh (ISIL) in parts of the country.

Lastly, the Secretary-General expressed hope that Algeria would ratify the Paris Agreement on climate change before the end of the year.

Also today, Mr. Ban met with Nhial Deng Nhial, Special Envoy of the President of South Sudan, together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deng Alor Kuol, discussing the situation in South Sudan as well as ways to restore dialogue.

“The Secretary-General voiced his deep concern and disappointment over the recent fighting in Juba and in other locations, further aggravating an already dire humanitarian situation and compromising the implementation of the agreement for the resolution of the conflict in South Sudan. He expressed outrage at the untold suffering inflicted upon the people of South Sudan,” said a statement released by Mr. Ban’s office.

The Secretary-General urged South Sudan President Salva Kiir and First Vice-President Riek Machar to show “true leadership and to live up to the aspirations of their people to peace and security.”

He also underlined the need for the parties to uphold the cessation of hostilities and to resume dialogue as the only way to sustainably address the crisis in their country, and called on the South Sudanese stakeholders to agree on practical steps to demilitarize Juba.

According to the read-out, Mr. Ban informed the Special Envoy of his recommendations to the Security Council regarding South Sudan, and strongly condemned the impediments to the freedom of movement and attacks against UN staff, assets and premises. He called on South Sudan to provide full security and access to the UN and to its peacekeeping mission.

In addition, the Secretary-General emphasized the gravity of the situation and expressed the hope that the leaders would bear greater responsibility for their people. He asked the Special Envoy to relay his messages to President Kiir.

Despite the August 2015 peace agreement that formally ended the war – which began in late 2013 after a simmering political face-off between President Salva Kiir and his then former Vice-President Riek Machar boiled over – conflict and instability has spread to previously unaffected areas in the Greater Equatoria and Greater Bahr-El-Ghazal regions of South Sudan.

The Secretary-General also met in Kigali today with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda. Commending President Kagame for his leadership and the progress made in Rwanda, as well as for hosting the AU Summit, Mr. Ban expressed appreciation for Rwanda’s contribution to UN peacekeeping, including in the Central African Republic, Darfur, Sudan and South Sudan.

Mr. Ban and President Kagame expressed deep concern at the recent escalation of violence in South Sudan, its impact on the civilian population and consequences for the peace process. They called on the South Sudanese leadership to demonstrate the commitment required to bring to an end the tragedy unfolding in their country and fulfill their people’s aspirations to peace, security and reconciliation.

The Secretary-General and the President also exchanged views on other issues, including the situation in Burundi. The Secretary-General expressed appreciation to Rwanda for hosting thousands of Burundian refugees.

In addition, the Secretary-General expressed hope that Rwanda would ratify the Paris Agreement on climate change before the end of the year.

The Secretary-General is expected to meet with other leaders gathered for the AU Summit, before departing on Sunday for Kenya, where he will open the 14th session of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).