NEW YORK, JUNE 20 – In a significant address to the United Nations Security Council meeting on South Sudan, Marco Impagliazzo, President of the Community of Sant’Egidio, shed light on the crisis of the African country. The Community of Sant’Egidio, known for its dedication to peace, humanitarian aid, and international mediations, has been closely monitoring the situation in the area for several decades.
Impagliazzo highlighted the Rome Initiative, an inclusive platform devised by the Community to engage political and military entities that had initially rejected the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement in the complicated phase of creating the Government of National Unity. With the support of Pope Francis, the Initiative led to mutual recognition between the government and non-signatory opposition forces establishing a negotiation framework that reduced violence and instilled hope for peace.
Impagliazzo stressed the inclusive nature of the Rome Initiative, involving civil society representatives, Christian leaders, and leaders from diverse religious denominations. This inclusive approach is expected to expand in the future, compelling government, and opposition leaders to take responsibility for the South Sudanese people and alleviate their suffering.
During the UN Security Council meeting, Nicholas Haysom, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, and Head of UNMISS, highlighted key obstacles to the peace process in South Sudan. He emphasized the influx of Sudanese refugees, escalating violence in Malakal, and the critical need for civic and political space. Major General Charles Tai Gituai, the Interim Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, further detailed significant challenges impeding the implementation of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement. These hurdles include a lack of trust, limited resources, persistent intercommunal violence, and the devastating impact of natural disasters such as floods. (@OnuItalia)
