Thank you, Mr. President.
I would like to join my colleagues in thanking the three speakers for their enlightening speeches - thank you very much. I also thank the Peacebuilding Commission for its written advice and continued engagement, and welcome the presence of the Permanent Representative of South Sudan.
According to the roadmap, as we have heard, the South Sudanese will go to the polls in five months' time to make important decisions about the future of their country. We recognize that the organization of elections is a South Sudanese process, and we encourage the authorities and parties to intensify their efforts to advance the organization of these elections. Time is running out.
I would like to reiterate three priorities in this regard:
First, consensus must be reached to clarify the way forward on the electoral roadmap. We echo the joint statement issued last month by the African Union, IGAD and UNMISS, which reiterates calls, including within this Council, for constructive dialogue between the parties. For the forthcoming elections to be credible and peaceful, two elements remain fundamental: a free and safe civic and political space, and the participation of women. This includes their representation of at least 35%, in line with the provisions of the peace agreement. With regard to the transition in general, we hope that the discussions underway with non-signatory groups as part of the Tumaini Initiative can be consolidated within the framework of the peace agreement. They thus complement ongoing efforts to build a common vision for the future of South Sudan.
Second, it is essential to establish a safe and secure environment. The success of the transition and the holding of elections depend on the full implementation of the transitional security arrangements. However, developments over the past few months, as we have heard, remain concerning. Widespread attacks against the civilian population, particularly in the context of sub-national violence, persist throughout the country, as indicated by the UNMISS Human Rights Division in its latest update. In addition, we are concerned by reports of an increasing number of abductions in Central Equatoria. All parties must respect international humanitarian law and human rights. We commend the efforts of UNMISS to protect civilians, as well as the ongoing engagement between the mission and the government to respect the Status of Forces Agreement.
Third, it is imperative that efforts to address humanitarian and protection needs continue. These needs are increasing constantly, which is deeply worrying. The country is marked by persistent violence, the impact of the conflict in Sudan, and an increasingly precarious economic situation. A growing portion of the population is affected by food insecurity, exacerbated by the effects of climate change. In addition to atypical droughts and rising temperatures, South Sudan is already severely affected by flood-related disasters, which are expected to continue this year and affect millions of people. We welcome UNMISS' support for prevention and preparedness efforts, and underline the importance of analytical capabilities to assess climate change-related risks for UN missions. At the "Arria Formula" meeting organized by Switzerland in May, the UNMISS Force Commander illustrated in a concrete way how new technologies could improve the implementation of the mission's mandate in this respect.
Mr. President,
I would like to reiterate our full support for UNMISS and the Trilateral Taskforce, whose continued support for South Sudan on this complex path is essential. We also reaffirm Switzerland's firm commitment to the government and people of South Sudan to achieve democratic, legitimate governance and lasting peace.
I thank you.