Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Madame President,
New Zealand appreciates the meticulous work of the Commission on South Sudan and its detailed report.
New Zealand expresses its utmost concern at reports of gross human rights violations and serious violations of international humanitarian law in Central Equatoria committed by the Government of South Sudan, and reports of their complicity in arming and supporting organised militia groups. We are also alarmed by the increase in women victims of conflict-related sexual violence and huge rise in abductions. We urge all parties to end all violence against civilians.
New Zealand fully supports the Revitalised Transitional Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan but is concerned by delays in its implementation. We encourage the Government of South Sudan to speed up implementation of the agreement, including by progressing the reconstitution of the Transitional National Legislature so that key legislation can be passed and crucial transitional justice mechanisms can be established.
Finally, we congratulate Nicholas Haysom for his appointment as the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. We also pay homage to SRSG David Shearer for his tireless and impactful leadership of UNMISS since 2016. Mr Shearer has played a key peace-building role in South Sudan including through the facilitation of human rights capacity-building. New Zealand is proud of his contribution and hugely grateful for his work supporting peace and promoting human rights in South Sudan.
Thank you