New york: Pakistan has expressed concern over the fragile political and security situation in South Sudan and urged renewed commitment to the Revitalized Peace Agreement, stressing that sustained engagement is needed to prevent a relapse into conflict and to support a credible transition ahead of the planned elections in December 2026.
Addressing the United Nations Security Council meeting on South Sudan, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, said that the recent developments highlight the vulnerability of the peace process, warning that progress on key benchmarks has slowed and, in some areas, reversed.
He called on all stakeholders to recommit to full implementation of the Revitalized Agreement through inclusive dialogue. He also underscored the important roles of the African Union and IGAD, and stressed the need for close coordination between regional efforts and the United Nations.
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said South Sudan continues to face serious political, technical and financial challenges as it moves toward elections. He noted that progress on transitional security arrangements and institutional preparations remains uneven, while economic and humanitarian pressures continue to weigh heavily. He said these realities underline the need for coherent international support that helps create the conditions for a credible transition.
Asim Iftikhar described UNMISS as indispensable, saying the Mission saves lives and plays a vital stabilizing role amid political uncertainty, inter-communal tensions, humanitarian demands and regional spillover risks linked to the conflict in Sudan. He said UNMISS's contribution to the protection of civilians and humanitarian access remains critical.
Highlighting Pakistan's contribution as a leading troop-contributing country, Ambassador Asim reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to UNMISS and its mandate. He noted that in Bentiu, where more than 300,000 people remain affected by years of severe flooding, Pakistani peacekeepers, including engineers, have constructed and maintained over 80 kilometres of protective dykes and berms, helping to safeguard displaced communities and maintain humanitarian supply routes.
He stressed that UNMISS's effectiveness depends on cooperation from host authorities in line with the Status of Forces Agreement, warning that restrictions on movement and other operational limitations can directly undermine mandate delivery at a sensitive moment. He encouraged the South Sudanese government to cooperate fully with the Mission.
Ambassador Asim also warned that the UN's ongoing liquidity crisis is affecting UNMISS's mandate implementation, while year-long delays in reimbursements are placing additional strain on troop- and police-contributing countries. He said predictable and sustainable financing for peacekeeping is a shared responsibility and is essential to preserving operational effectiveness and maintaining peace and security in South Sudan.
Concluding his statement, he cautioned against weakening UNMISS capacities at this stage, saying it would risk undermining protection efforts and reducing the Mission's ability to support political stabilization. He reaffirmed Pakistan's full commitment to supporting UNMISS and efforts aimed at advancing durable peace and stability in South Sudan.