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The Secretary-General met today with the President of the Republic of South Sudan, H.E. Mr. Salva Kiir.

The Secretary-General expressed deep concern about the security and humanitarian situation in South Sudan. He called for the immediate cessation of hostilities, emphasizing that there cannot be a military solution to the conflict. He urged the President to reach an inclusive agreement to start a transitional phase of governance based on justice, transparency and accountability in the management of oil resources.

The Secretary-General and the President also discussed the mandate of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). While UNMISS and humanitarian actors would focus on immediate, life-saving activities, the Secretary-General noted that the fate of South Sudan ultimately lies with the country’s leaders. The people of South Sudan deserve peace, as well as commitment from their leaders.

Regarding Abyei, the Secretary-General called on the Government of South Sudan to appoint a Co-Chairman to the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee and to resume dialogue with the Sudan on the implementation of the 20 June 2011 Agreement.

The Secretary-General said that in the 21st century, it was important that South Sudan’s leaders broadened their vision beyond what it was that they were currently fighting about. Continued hostilities among the leaders, he warned, would have the effect of yet further squandering the goodwill of the international community which had been so evident when independence was declared in 2011.