UNMISS notes positive strides on the way to sustainable peace.

Security Council members cautiously welcomed the new power-sharing agreement to end the conflict in South Sudan, as they heard updates on recent developments from the senior United Nations official in that country and a national civil society representative.

The briefers described the challenges ahead, while emphasizing the importance of ensuring that women are well represented in the newly formed Transitional Government of National Unity and the wider political process, as well as the need for close international monitoring to ensure that the incoming administration adheres to the new political road map.

Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) David Shearer has said that there are reasons to be hopeful.

The UNMISS Chief also stressed that a unified government heralds the start of a new phase. The peace agreement will be the roadmap for the coming three years, but in concert South Sudan needs to address four issues – the cornerstones of a properly functioning state. Take a listen