United Nations – Pakistan has stated that the political and security situation in South Sudan remains fragile, with escalating tensions threatening the fragile gains achieved since the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement.

In a national statement during the UN Security Council briefing on the situation in South Sudan today, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said that detentions of key SPLM/A-IO leaders undermine trust and inclusion, which, he said, are essential for a sustainable peace process.

Pakistan joins the African Union in calling for the immediate release of all detained political figures, he said.

Ambassador Asim said that preparations for the December 2026 elections offer hope for democratic progress. He, however, added that credible and inclusive polls will require not only international financial, technical, and political support but also an environment of trust and security.

Terming the ongoing humanitarian situation in South Sudan as critical, he said that armed conflict, climate shocks, cholera outbreaks, and regional spillovers have left millions of South Sudanese vulnerable, with over 1.4 million at risk of flooding. He called for urgent international support to address these gaps.

Ambassador Asim said that Pakistan is proud of its significant contributions to United Nations Missions in South Sudan (UNMISS), one of the largest troop contributors to the mission.

Highlighting the contributions of Pakistan, he said that Pakistani peacekeepers have constructed over 80 kilometres of protective dykes and berms to shield displaced communities; secured humanitarian supply routes and preserved the operational safety of UN field offices; and maintained a steadfast commitment to protecting civilians, while condemning attacks on peacekeepers and aid workers, which constitute war crimes.

He said that Pakistan stresses that UNMISS must be fully resourced, adequately equipped, and politically supported.

Ambassador Asim said that we believe that addressing current troop shortfalls, deployment delays, and logistical challenges is essential, alongside full respect for the Status of Forces Agreement, to enable the mission to carry out its mandate effectively.

He said that South Sudan’s path to peace and stability is challenging but achievable. He highlighted the importance of genuine political commitment, national ownership of the peace process based on trust and inclusion, and sustained international solidarity to realize the promise of peace, stability, and prosperity.