United Nations (TDI): Pakistan has voiced deep concern over the worsening political and security situation in South Sudan, warning the UN Security Council on Monday that the fragile peace gains made since the signing of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement are now at risk.
“The Revitalized Agreement remains the anchor of peace,” Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, told the 15-member body during a debate on South Sudan. “The political and security situation is sliding backwards at a time when it needs to move forward,” he said, echoing concerns raised by other speakers.
Opening the session, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Africa Martha Pobee said that clashes between rival militias aligned with First Vice President Riek Machar and government forces loyal to President Salva Kiir continue to erode trust in the 2018 peace deal. The agreement collapsed earlier this year when Kiir placed Machar under house arrest.
Ambassador Ahmad called for the immediate release of all detained political leaders, stressing that “trust and inclusion are essential for any transition and building durable peace.” He described the planned elections in December 2026 as “a ray of hope,” but warned that credible polls would require both international support and a climate of trust.
Highlighting the dire humanitarian situation, the envoy noted that armed conflict, climate shocks, cholera outbreaks, and the spill-over from Sudan have left millions of South Sudanese vulnerable. “In South Sudan today, indifference could be as deadly as violence,” he remarked.
Read More: Pakistan Calls for Peace, Dialogue in South Sudan
Ambassador Ahmad praised the role of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), describing it as “a lifeline.” He commended Pakistani peacekeepers for constructing more than 80 kilometers of protective dykes and berms to safeguard displaced communities and secure humanitarian routes.
He also condemned attacks on peacekeepers and aid workers, calling them “war crimes” that must not go unpunished. The Pakistani envoy urged the international community to ensure that UNMISS is fully resourced, properly equipped, and politically supported, while also addressing its troop shortfalls and logistical challenges.
Read More: Pakistan Demands Immediate Ceasefire in Sudan
“South Sudan’s path could be difficult, but not impossible,” Ahmad concluded. “With genuine political commitment, national ownership of the peace process, and sustained international solidarity, the promise of peace, stability, and prosperity can still be realized.”
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
