New York (TDI): Pakistan has called on the government of South Sudan to reaffirm its commitment to the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, as political tensions and growing humanitarian challenges threaten the country’s fragile stability.
Speaking at the United Nations Security Council, Pakistan’s Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad emphasized that delays in implementing the power-sharing are harming civilians and preventing critical humanitarian aid. He further said that “We are concerned by the escalation of hostilities and the suffering it has caused for ordinary families.”
South Sudan, which gained independence in 2011, is still dealing with the aftermath of civil conflict. Thousands of people have been displaced and are struggling to survive due to violence between opposing factions, unresolved political disputes, and a lack of access to basic services.
South Sudan’s precarious situation has been exacerbated by the fighting in neighboring Sudan, which has pushed over 1.2 million people to flee across the border since April 2023, putting pressure on already limited humanitarian resources. Ongoing challenges like catastrophic flooding, cholera outbreaks, and ongoing fighting have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis.
Pakistan’s Ambassador Ahmad has requested international donors to increase funds for the Humanitarian Response Plan, which presently has only 30% of the required resources.
He also advocated for stronger protection of aid workers and compliance with humanitarian law. He further emphasized the stabilizing role of the UN mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the contribution of Pakistani forces who built protective dykes to safeguard flood-affected villages.
Read More: Renewed Fighting in Central Sudan Displaces Over 2,000 People
Despite operational issues, Pakistan reiterated its support for UNMISS and encouraged South Sudan’s government to fully comply with the mission status of the Forces Agreement.
UN officials, including Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix, have warned that persistent cease-fire violations and the incarceration of opposition heavyweights such as First Vice-President Riek Machar are eroding trust and risk triggering new violence. Lacroix stressed that the Peace Agreement remains the most effective approach to long-term stability.
The Revitalized Peace Agreement, which was signed in 2018, sought to end civil conflict, establish a transnational administration, and prepare a country for future elections. Despite these objectives, multiple provisions have yet to be implemented, and tensions over power sharing persist, posing a risk of greater conflict.
Pakistan has played an active role in promoting peace in South Sudan, sending troops to UN peacekeeping missions and giving humanitarian help to affected populations. Ambassador Ahmad showed Pakistan’s continued commitment to promoting dialogue and ensuring the agreement’s full implementation.
With elections scheduled for December 2026 and humanitarian needs still unmet, the coming months will be critical for South Sudan’s fragile peace. Pakistan and other international partners will continue monitoring developments closely, urging the government to prioritize dialogue and protection of civilians.
Established in December 2008, The Diplomatic Insight is Pakistan’s premier diplomacy and foreign affairs magazine, available in both digital and print formats.
