In a statement Emitted by his spokesperson, António Guterres expressed his alarm in the face of dangerous escalation and the growing bankruptcy of civilians.

He reiterated that attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure is prohibited under international law and have called for an immediate and unconditional cease-fire.

“These strikes disturbed the power supply to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, stressing once again the risks for nuclear security,” said UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.

“The secretary general reiterates his call to a complete, immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine as the first step towards a fair, complete and lasting peace, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nationsinternational law and relevant United Nations resolutions. »»

Fragile situation

Friday, the air strikes broke the last external connection of the nuclear power plant, forcing the ZNPP to count on emergency diesel generators for more than three hours, according to International Atomic Energy Agency (Aiea).

The food was finally restored, but the incident marked the ninth time that the factory has lost all the electricity out of site since the start of the large -scale invasion in 2022.

Rafael Mariano Grossi, director general of the nuclear guard dog, warned that the situation remains extremely fragile.

“What was once practically unimaginable-that a large nuclear power plant would repeatedly lose all its external power connections-has unfortunately become common,” he said.

Nuclear security deterioration

Located in southern Ukraine, the Zaporizhzhia factory is the largest nuclear installation in Europe. Although its six reactors have been in cold stop since 2024, they always require electricity to cool the reactor nuclei and the fuel pools spent to prevent overheating and potential radioactive release.

During the power failure, 18 diesel generators were activated to maintain critical cooling functions. The factory has enough diesel on site for at least ten days, with emergency plans in place to obtain other supplies if necessary, IAEA reported.

The ZNPP has become radically more vulnerable since the start of the war. Before the conflict, he had access to ten external power lines; He is now counting on one.

The IAEA teams remain based on the site and continue to monitor the situation closely.

“Cooperatives are a system that allows southern suddens to improve their livelihoods, but at the same time, also contributes to the economy … This is the only way for South Sudan to leave poverty,” said Louis Bagare Project Manager of food and agricultural cooperatives (Fao) In South Sudan.

He spoke before International Cooperative DayWho is celebrated every July 5, and who emphasizes how cooperatives allow people to provide for their basic needs in contexts where individuals working alone are insufficient.

A path to peace

In South Sudan, the potential of cooperatives extends beyond economic empowerment.

“Cooperatives are one of the avenues that can bring peace and stability to South Sudan,” said Mr. Bagare.

For more than a decade, South Sudan has been faced with many challenges that come across. After its independence in 2011, a civil war broke out, concluding in 2018 with a peace agreement. But this peace is more fragile that never.

Pillage and inter -municipal violence, mainly perpetrated by young people, continues to be an omnipresent concern for many communities which are already confronted food insecurity and continuous climatic shocks.

In this context, cooperatives provide a glimmer of hope.

“Cooperatives have really changed the state of mind of our people and brought stability to the country,” said Deng William Aachiek, director of rural producers from the Sudan Ministry of South South Agriculture and Food Security.

But what can cooperatives inaugurate lasting peace?

A voluntary and democratic group

Cooperatives are voluntary economic organizations in which members share risk, work and income.

“A cooperative is a democratic social association of people who, as an individual, cannot improve their status of life and social status … But once they meet in a cooperative, they can then increase the level of their lives,” said Oneil Yosia Damia, Director General of Cooperative Development in South Sudan.

FaoLouis Bagare believes that this type of democratic approach to governance at the local level will go to the national level and encourage more widespread adhesion to a democratic form of governance through South Sudan.

Income, no firearms

In addition to providing a model of democratic governance, cooperatives also allow economic growth and development, providing communities – especially young people – a viable and lasting alternative to looting.

“When, in particular young people, are engaged in productive activities that generate income, they will not have the point of choosing a firearm to go fight or to fly and loot,” said Bagare.

In South Sudan, communities that form cooperatives often do not have enough individual resources to maintain a sustainable livelihood, a reality that pushes young people to violent looting for survival.

” When [community members] Work together, when they bring together ideas, when they bring together resources, it is much easier for them to overcome their livelihoods, “said Bagare.

Bagare also explained that banks are more ready to invest in groups and that organizations like FAO are more likely to provide support for cooperatives. But in the end, the objective is that it will not be long term.

“The emphasis is placed on the strengthening of their capacity so that they can create lives,” said Bagare.

A historical structure in the youngest country in the world

In South Sudan, there are cooperatives of each shape and size. Massively, these cooperatives are agricultural, but some also produce soap, bread and textiles. The history of South Sudan is populated by examples of this type of work.

“Cooperatives are not something now. This is part of the culture of South Sudan, ”said Bagare.

Mr. Daima referred to “the golden era” of the cooperatives that existed before the civil war in 2011. He said that his office in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Safety works with diligence to return to that time.

“I want our cooperatives to be as busy as bees. It is the spirit of unity, of unity, ”said Mr. Daima.

Mr. Bagare hopes for a future in South Sudan where cooperatives are part of each economic sector – not just agriculture.

“If we are able to work together, we can become better people tomorrow. But when we continue to fight only, we will continue to destroy ourselves. ”