Civil society Organizations in South Sudan have called on the United Nation Security Council to renew the mandate of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) with a focus on protection of civilians and support on election.
On April 29, 2024 UN Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) for one year to prevent a return to civil war and an escalation of violence in the East African nation.
The UN security council is expected to meet in few days to come to renew UNMISS’ mandate before its expiration on 30 April.
Meanwhile the 2018 peace agreement continue to face a lot of challenges include armed confrontation among the armed peace parties.
The recent arrest of opposition members including the First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar has left the 2018 peace agreement to hang in balance.
As the role of the peace keepers in needed in the Country, some members of the civil society have called for the renewal of the UNMISS mandate with focus on prevention of violent as well as protection of civilians.
In an interview with this outlet, Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director for Community Empower for Progress Organization (CEPO) called for the renewal of the mandate with much focus on protection and technical support for election.
“CEPO is strongly urging the government of South Sudan and United Nations Security Council leaders to renew the UNMISS mandate with stronger focus on protection of civilians and technical political support for the transitional process” Yakani said.
“Strengthening UNMISS’ role on human rights, civic space, and conflict early warming reporting should be prioritised” he added
He applauded UNMISS for doing remarkable role in the prevention of violence and protection of civilians.
Yakani called on South Sudanese to appreciated the role of UNMISS and urge those spreading misinformation regarding them to cease.
“CEPO urging those who are deeply involved in providing misinformation, hate, hostile propaganda, and disinformation, including fake news about UNMISS performance to abstain from that and seek accurate information first” Yakani said
He appealed to the South Sudan government to cooperate and with the UNMISS to ensure conflict prevention as well protect of the civilians.
Alos Jacob Adher a political scientists acknowledged the role of UNMISS and urge them to incorporate development alongside peace mission.
“Their mandates can be renewed but their role could not always one side they should include development like roads and health centres, let them help the government” he said.
Meanwhile John Aruai , International relation specialistexpressed that there is need for the council to renew UNMISS mandate with new features such as youth and women empowerment.
He called on the government to cooperate with UNMISS in order to adding peace in the country.
“After the UN security council renew the UNMISS mandate with need South Sudan government and decision makers to cooperate with them and be honest in the implementation of 2018 peace agreement” he said
Rebecca Abuk a law maker in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly urged the UNMISS to double efforts in implementing their tasks.
“We need both the UNMISS to focus on their task as partners for peace as well cooperating in helping government in other aspect as us roads projects” she said
Meanwhile Peter Matu supported the renewal of UNMISS adding that they provide confident in peace building at a time leaders disagree.
“Since there is need peace, we can still keep them, they some time push our leaders to dialogue when they failed to agreement” he said.
On his part Ter Manyang the Executive Director for Centerfor Peace and Advocacy (CPA) urged the UNMISS to focus on protection of civilians after renewal of their mandate.
“The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) should focus on protecting civilians, facilitating humanitarian assistance, supporting the peace process, and monitoring human rights violations” Manynag said.
He appealed to the UNMISS to double efforts in its task of preventing the country from going back to war.
“Specifically, it aims to prevent a return to civil war, enable South Sudan’s self-reliance, build durable peace, support inclusive governance, and facilitate free and fair elections” he said
The Activist urged the UNMISS to also focus on youth empowerment through innovation.
“To developmental programs where the young people should be empowered in terms of enterprise and innovation” he said
