(NEW YORK, UNITED STATES) – South Sudan has used the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly to reaffirm its commitment to peace, national ownership, development and democratic governance, with a call for the country to move from political transition to democratic rule.
Addressing the Assembly, South Sudan’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amb. Cecilia Adeng Manyok, delivered greetings from President Salva Kiir Mayardit and said South Sudan supports the session’s theme of “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation, a United Nations That Delivers for All.”
She acknowledged the United Nations’ contribution to South Sudan in humanitarian assistance, peacebuilding, protection of civilians and institutional development, while calling for international engagement to increasingly respect national ownership and strengthen South Sudan’s capacity to manage its own affairs.
Adeng described the country’s difficult journey from decades of liberation struggle, the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the 2011 referendum and independence to the current political transition. She said the government recognises the challenges that remain but stressed that they should not erase the progress achieved since independence.
The ambassador repeated President Kiir’s position that South Sudan must not return to war, arguing that political disagreements should be resolved through dialogue and that “the ballot must replace the bullet.”
She said the government remains committed to holding general elections in December 2026, describing them as an opportunity for South Sudanese to democratically determine the next chapter of their country.
She also identified the need for adequate electoral resources, continued political dialogue, improved security arrangements, civic education and meaningful participation of women, youth, refugees and internally displaced persons.
Adeng further called for a shift from prolonged crisis management toward peacebuilding and national capacity building, urging greater investment in South Sudan’s police, judiciary, public administration, education, healthcare and infrastructure.
On the economy, she said South Sudan seeks to move from humanitarian dependency toward self reliance by investing in agriculture, infrastructure, economic diversification and human capital.
She also appealed for greater international support for climate adaptation, citing the impact of floods, drought, displacement and food insecurity, and called for accessible climate financing and resilient infrastructure.
The ambassador described women and young people as central to South Sudan’s future and called for stronger opportunities in education, vocational training, technology, entrepreneurship, agriculture and sports.
She also praised the South Sudanese diaspora, pointing to the national basketball team, the Bright Stars, as an example of how South Sudanese living across the world can unite and contribute to the country’s development.
On regional affairs, Adeng expressed solidarity with the people of Sudan and repeated South Sudan’s support for efforts toward a negotiated peace.
She also called for peaceful engagement on outstanding issues between South Sudan and Sudan, including border matters and the final status of Abyei.
Addressing global governance, she backed calls for reform of the UN Security Council, arguing that Africa’s 54 member states deserve stronger representation in the Council, including permanent representation.
Adeng concluded by saying South Sudan’s journey must now move from liberation struggle to peace, from dependency to national capacity, and from political transition to democratic governance.
She called on international partners to continue supporting South Sudan while strengthening national ownership and institutions, saying the country seeks a future where political competition does not lead to conflict and where its people can determine their future through democratic means.
