On Thursday, Lacroix arrived in South Sudan to access the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement and also met several senior government officials among which is President Salva Kiir Mayardit, First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, Vice-President for Gender and Youth Cluster Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior and Mrs. Teny.
Speaking following her meeting with the visiting UN top peacekeeping envoy, Teny said the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement is facing several issues that needs the attention of the international community and for it to move forward, there is need of resources that should be provided for its implementation.
“This peace agreement is really in dire need of a revamping. It’s in dire need of resources. It’s in dire need of more attention so that it is implemented, so that South Sudan can come out of the list of countries always in need,” Mrs. Teny said.
Separate, and following his meeting with President Salva Kiir on Friday, Mr. Lacroix said they discussed the need for the immediate implementation of the security arrangements provided for in the agreement which would see the unification of the rival forces to form the country’s first professional army.
“We discussed the situation regarding the efficient and effective implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement. We appreciated the efforts that have been made in this regard since the signing of the agreement and reiterated our support for further progress to be made,” the UN peacekeeping chief said.
“As far as the UN is concerned, we can certainly help in trying to support the armed forces here in their efforts to make sure certain guarantees and certain benchmarks can be achieved. I’m thinking in particular of everything that has to do with managing weapons and ammunition. I know that it is seen by members of the Security Council as an important element in this,” said Mr. Lacroix.
“But the issue of the arms embargo is very much in the hands of the Security Council.”
