YouSaid · the spoken record

Lorna

lines on the record
11
first
2021-09-15
most recent
2021-09-15
sittings or episodes
1
sources
un-security-council

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  1. “However, the contrary is true: as we speak, only a chosen few enjoy the proceeds of our independence. In a real sense, the State is detached from the people. Investment in service delivery is minimal with no major State development projects in the country. Basic service delivery has been relegated to humanitarian agencies, and we truly thank them for their support. South Sudan could have done better and can do better if only the leadership were committed to peace and stability in the country.”

    2021-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8859 (2021) · source

  2. “Secondly, the Council should authorize UNMISS, in line with subparagraph 3 (a) (vii) of resolution 2567 (2021), to include provision of capacity-building, support and facilitation to the Government of South Sudan, not only in the rule of law and justice sector, but also in the governance and accountability sector. Thirdly, the Council should authorize UNMISS to facilitate periodic engagement with the South Sudanese Government and civil society or citizens groups to build confidence and support implementation of the 2018 revitalized peace agreement. I wish to mention that the struggle and sacrifice of the people of South Sudan for independence was in search of emancipation and a quest for establishing a State where every person enjoys justice, liberty and prosperity.”

    2021-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8859 (2021) · source

  3. “Secondly, how can an inclusive, participatory and people-driven constitution-making process be realized in an environment where citizens need to obtain permission to hold any workshop or public gathering? Thirdly, how can we open up space for inclusivity and wider participation in national affairs, including the participation of women, youth and marginalized communities in national affairs? Having said all this, I wish to advise and recommend the following. First, in the spirit of resolution 2567 (2021) adopted in March, the Security Council should authorize the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to support the implementation of key legislative reforms and an inclusive and participatory constitution-making process and facilitate the conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections in South Sudan. That would help us.”

    2021-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8859 (2021) · source

  4. “Though there are reform initiatives, such as the public finance management reform process, to realize accountability, there is a need for adequate political will from the top leadership of the country and an independent judiciary and legislature to support the call for accountability and enable key institutions, such as the Anti-corruption Commission and the National Audit Chamber, to effectively operate. Based on my engagement with the South Sudanese from all works of life in an effort to develop scenarios for South Sudan in 2025, the people of South Sudan continue to ask the following questions. First, when will the country mark an end to interim and transitional governance?”

    2021-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8859 (2021) · source

  5. “The big question is: Why would the State terrorize its own citizens? It may be hard to believe, but since independence until today, not a single primary or secondary school has been constructed through national budget allocation. Education, health, water and roads do not seem to be national priorities. Youth unemployment is high and women remain largely excluded from national processes. Salaries for public servants, including the security sector, are paid sporadically, leading to the accumulation of unpaid salaries for over 6, 10 or even 15 months.”

    2021-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8859 (2021) · source

  6. “Human right violations in South Sudan occur in different forms, ranging from keeping soldiers in cantonment areas and training camps for over a year now with minimal access to food, water, shelter, sanitary facilities and sanitary materials for women to the intimidating operating environment for civil society, women’s groups, media and now the private sector, as well as immense restriction on freedom of association, whereby holding workshops and public gatherings always require permission from State security, just to mention a few. On 30 August, the Government rolled out heavy military hardware and deployed soldiers on the streets of Juba to deter a proposed protest. Traders who chose to keep their shops closed on 30 August owing to fear were fined. That further intimidated citizens and exacerbated the trauma.”

    2021-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8859 (2021) · source

  7. “While there are steps being taken to establish mechanisms of transitional justice, such as the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing, to initiate the constitution-making process and to advance the ongoing public finance management and reform processes, the tendency to postpone critical issues — such as managing diversity and ethnicity, healing and reconciliation, accountability, reform and transformation — seems evident. The leadership seems hesitant to address those issues in an inclusive and decisive manner. In that connection, I advise that such important processes be led by independent and reputable South Sudanese personalities who have not participated in the immediately previous transitional governance arrangements and involve internationally reputable personalities to support the process.”

    2021-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8859 (2021) · source

  8. “Almost everyone in the country is living in fear of armed robbery, sexual violence and all forms of violence, including the possible resumption of full-fledged violent conflict involving the key political actors in the country. The citizens do not know who to trust any more. It is therefore prudent for the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity to expedite the unification of the forces and implement comprehensive security sector reform and transformation and a responsive nationwide disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process, without discrimination or favour.”

    2021-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8859 (2021) · source

  9. “Following the signing of the revitalized agreement, there has been a reduction in violence associated with the national-level political conflict. Paradoxically, since 2018 there has been a systematic increase in the scale and intensity of so-called intercommunal conflicts in virtually every region of the country, resulting in higher civilian casualties. Women and girls in particular have been affected by conflict- related sexual violence and sexual and gender-based violence. That has resulted in massive and continued displacement, which many citizens are starting to think is by design. Examples of that are the violence and killings in Tambura/Yambio and Kitgwang and the killing of Catholic nuns and others on the Nimule road, just to mention a few.”

    2021-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8859 (2021) · source

  10. “While we appreciate that steps have been taken towards the implementation of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, they have mostly been minimal, inconsistent, intermittent and taken at a slow pace. The parties do not seem committed to the full implementation of the peace agreement, thereby prolonging the transitional period and delaying critical governance reforms stipulated therein. Many citizens feel that the delayed implementation serves only the interest of the political elite, but prolongs the suffering of the masses. Hence, there is a need to exert more pressure and call for expeditious implementation of the peace agreement in letter and spirit. The unhealed wounds and continued violence have left the country deeply fragmented and bleeding.”

    2021-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8859 (2021) · source

  11. “Ms. Lorna: I am deeply honoured and humbled by the invitation to brief the Security Council during this meeting dedicated to discussing the situation in my beloved country. Today, I address the Council, not as the Secretary General of the South Sudan Democratic Engagement, Monitoring and Observation Programme, but as a citizen of South Sudan and an activist. With Council members’ permission, I should like to add my voice in emphasizing the importance of this meeting, especially at a time when the people of South Sudan are faced with many uncertainties and dilemmas regarding the immediate future of our country.”

    2021-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8859 (2021) · source