UN EXTENDS PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN SOUTH SUDAN

UN EXTENDS PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN SOUTH SUDAN

The UN Security Council has extended the mandate of its peacekeeping mission in South Sudan until March 2018, pending a review of its operations. The UN Secretary-General’s most recent report on the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) recommended that the mandate be extended for two months, awaiting the completion of an ongoing strategic review of operations.

In a meeting to discuss the situation of South Sudan on Thursday, the UNSC members unanimously adopted Resolution 2392 of 2017 that also authorized the mission to use all necessary means to carry out its tasks as set out in Resolution 2327 of last year.

The 15-member organ called on the government of South Sudan to live by its commitment to cooperating fully with UNMISS. It further condemned actions against United Nations and humanitarian workers and civilians.

The UNSC emphasized the UNMISS mandate to investigate abuses of human rights and humanitarian law, and reiterated that perpetrators of violations must be held accountable. The current extended mandate will run until 15th March 2018.

Last month, South Sudan’s Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Dr.Martin Elia Lomoro, said the government wants the UNMISS mandate to focus on governance, capacity building and development rather than protection of civilians. South Sudan’s power struggle which denigrated into armed conflict entered its fifth year this month.