United Nations, February 10, 2026(Kamran Raja): There is an urgent need to prevent a relapse into widespread conflict in South Sudan, as well as deeper international engagement, full support for the Revitalized Peace Agreement, and the preservation of a robust United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, made these remarks while delivering a national statement at a UN Security Council briefing on the situation in South Sudan today. He described the prevailing situation in South Sudan as extremely fragile and warned that failure to act decisively would have devastating consequences for the South Sudanese people and the wider region. “The cost of failure would be borne first and foremost by the South Sudanese people, and would also have profound regional consequences. It is time for a deeper engagement, not distancing or abandonment,” he said.
Ambassador Asim termed the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan as the only viable and consensual framework for restoring political trust, preventing fragmentation, and guiding the country toward stability. He urged all South Sudanese stakeholders to recommit to the Agreement in good faith and resolve differences through inclusive dialogue, stressing the need for a renewed national consensus. Highlighting the critical role of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) amid heightened political uncertainty, inter-communal violence, and regional spill-over risks, the Pakistan UN Ambassador called for the Mission to remain operational, well-resourced, and robust. He expressed concern over the impact of the UN’s liquidity crisis on peacekeeping operations, and warned that reductions in UNMISS capacity—including declining troop numbers and patrols—pose serious risks to civilian protection and the safety of UN personnel. “In an already fragile environment, reductions in mission capacity carry serious risks for the protection of civilians and the safety and security of UN personnel,”
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad drew attention to the destabilizing effects of the conflict in Sudan, including cross-border tensions and the influx of over 1.3 million refugees into South Sudan. He said that the situation has further strained an already fragile environment. He strongly condemned the killing of a UNMISS staff member in Wau, and stressed the imperative of full respect for the Status of Forces Agreement and accountability for attacks against UN personnel. Ambassador Asim reaffirmed Pakistan’s longstanding support for UN peacekeeping, and asked Member States to pay their assessed contributions in full and on time, noting that UNMISS plays an indispensable role in protecting civilians and stabilizing South Sudan. He also underscored the essential role of African-led and regional initiatives in supporting South Sudan’s peace process. “The sustained engagement of IGAD, the African Union, and neighboring States remains indispensable in easing tensions, facilitating dialogue, and preserving regional stability,” he added.
He said that Pakistan welcomes coordinated efforts aimed at de-escalation and encourages continued alignment between regional mechanisms, the United Nations, and South Sudanese actors to ensure coherence and effectiveness.