By Xu Xiaolei
UNITED NATIONS, Mar. 6 -- The establishment of a transitional coalition government of South Sudan marks an important step forward in the country's peace process, Chinese Ambassador Wu Haitao, also the UN Security Council President for this month, stated at the UN Security Council Meeting on March 4, 2020.
“The political process in South Sudan has recently made positive headway,” said Amb. Wu, “China welcomes the establishment, on schedule, of a transitional coalition government, and congratulates South Sudan on this achievement. We commend the leadership and courage demonstrated by the leaders of South Sudan.”
He stressed that the international community should fully respect leadership by the South Sudanese government. The parties in South Sudan have primary responsibility for implementing the Revitalized Agreement. International partners should strengthen engagement and communication with the South Sudanese parties, especially with the government; listen to and heed their inputs and suggestions; and provide such financial, material and technical support in the areas of political process and security as is needed by South Sudan.
He also called on all the parties to continue supporting The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in its role as the main player in mediation. The international community should intensify coordination with IGAD and the African Union, support their mediation efforts and help all parties in South Sudan to build greater mutual trust and show greater flexibility and goodwill, so consensus can be reached as soon as possible on all the outstanding issues.
Furthermore, Ambassador Wu expressed that the international community should keep up humanitarian and economic assistance to South Sudan. At present, the focus should be on helping South Sudan tackle its development problems, assisting the return and resettlement of internally displaced persons and expanding investment in such areas as agriculture, energy, infrastructure, education and medical service to help the people of South Sudan build greater capacity to rebuild their homes and resume development.
As for China, Ambassador Wu stated China applauds the important contributions made by the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan to the maintenance of peace and stability in South Sudan. China will, as ever before, support the peace process in South Sudan and provide such assistance as is required. We stand ready to work with the international community constructively to help South Sudan maintain peace and stability and achieve socio-economic development.
