UNITED NATIONS : Pakistan has expressed deep concern over the worsening political and security situation in South Sudan, urging all parties to recommit to the renewed peace agreement and warning that the United Nations mission in the country must operate at full authorized capacity to protect civilians.
Speaking at the Security Council briefing on South Sudan, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad stressed that free, fair, and transparent elections remain essential for the success of the country’s democratic transition . He said elections are a vital means of bringing the transition to a legitimate conclusion, but the necessary political, legal, security, and financial requirements have not yet been met, calling this gap urgent to fill .
The Pakistani delegate voiced serious alarm over the escalating political tensions, inter-tribal violence, and ongoing clashes across areas such as Jonglei and Upper Nile . He noted that the deteriorating situation demands immediate action and called on all parties to implement a permanent ceasefire, avoid provocative statements, and return to negotiations. He further warned that the spillover effects of the conflict in neighboring Sudan continue to compound the crisis.
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad highlighted the critical role of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in maintaining peace and stability, praising its work under severe difficulties to protect civilians, deliver humanitarian aid, promote local dialogue, and strengthen early warning and conflict prevention systems . He pointed out that while 9,176 military personnel are currently deployed, the authorized strength is 12,500, and stressed that the authorized military capacity must be fully utilized given the worsening security environment .
Pakistan has consistently called for UNMISS to remain fully resourced. The Security Council recently renewed the mission’s mandate until April 2027 but reduced the troop ceiling from 17,000 to 12,500, a move Pakistan and other nations have warned could undermine civilian protection . Pakistani peacekeepers have also made tangible contributions, constructing over 80 kilometers of protective dykes in flood-affected areas to safeguard displaced communities .
The Pakistani envoy reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the people of South Sudan in their quest for peace, stability, and development, urging the international community to sustain its commitment to the country’s fragile transition.
