SRSG David Shearer’s statement to UN Security Council on South Sudan

The Special Representative of the United Nations and Head of the UN Mission in South Sudan says the country’s leaders must do more to ensure the peace process moves forward, calling for direct talks between President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar.  

 

David Shearer told the UN Security Council in New York on Tuesday that the peace agreement continues to hold with pockets of fighting in the Equatoria region. 

 

Mr Shearer said there is a strong desire among the local population for peace.  

 

The Special Representative said the overall drop in violence has encouraged people to return to their homes. Citing the International Organization for Migration, Mr. Shearer said "more than half a million people have voluntarily left protection sites and refugee camps, including more than two hundred and ten thousand (210,000) who returned from neighboring countries.

 

We bring you Mr. Shearer's full statement.