Security Council asks government to urgently tackle hate speech

(Above) A painting by a group of South Sudan artists depicting the feelings of many people: They are tired of war!

The United Nations Security Council has urged the government of South Sudan to urgently tackle the issue of increasing hate speech and ethnic violence.

In a statement released after its meeting last week, the Council further urged the government to promote reconciliation among its people, through a process of justice and accountability. The meeting was also addressed by outgoing UN Mission chief in South Sudan, Ellen Margrethe Loj.
The Council expressed fears that the situation in the country could easily escalate into an outright ethnic war. The Council members agreed with the findings of UN Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide Adama Dieng, who recently visited the country. The Special Adviser expressed fear that ethnic hatred and targeting of civilians could evolve into genocide if something is not done to stop it. He was speaking after visiting the country recently.
“The members of the Security Council strongly condemned all instances of attacks against civilians, ethnically targeted killings, hate speech, and incitements to violence,” said a statement from the Council.
The Council says that peace will only come to South Sudan through a process that is genuine and inclusive, and which is based on the framework provided by the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCRSS). This is the agreemewnt that was reached last year in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It led to the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU).
Currently, one of the signatories to the agreement Dr. Riek Machar is out of the government and out of the country. He was replaced in the TGoNU by Taban Deng Gai, who is now the first Vice President.
The Security Council also called upon the two warring sides (Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) of President Salva Kiir and Sudan People's Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA/IO) of Dr. Machar) to immediately cease hostilities in order to avoid escalation of the ongoing conflict.
These developments are happening at a time when media reports say that President Kiir has ruled out giving amnesty to his rival, and has asked him to denounce violence before he can be allowed to return to the country.
The Council also announced that it would consider other measures that would restore stability in the country, including potential sanctions. However, this position, also supported by the US, has been criticized by the government of President Kiir.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, its spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny said the country was stable, adding that there is no ethnic killings or hate speech in government controlled areas. It criticized the US for its proposal to impose sanctions on targeted individuals and arms embargo on the country.

Last week, the US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power announced that the US would support a proposal to the UN calling for sanctions and arms embargo in South Sudan.