S. Sudanese rebels urge UN to spearhead peace implementation
October 3, 2015 (KAMPALA) – Members of South Sudan’s armed opposition faction (SPLM-IO) met a technical team from the United Nations to discuss the new peace deal.
Both sides reportedly explored how the UN mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) shall be monitoring the three years designated Transitional Government of National Unity (TGNU) by involving the people of South Sudan to fully participate in the peace implementation.
John Juan Dong, who headed of SPLM-IO delegation that met officials from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, told Sudan Tribune that a number of issues were raised with the aim of pushing the UN to lead the peace process in South Sudan.
“The discussion touches most part, the recent signed document relating to the security arrangement and how the UNMISS should help in repatriation of IDPs who are now under the UN protection camps across the country,” Dong said in a statement.
Members of the SPLM-IO called on UNMISS to help monitor and patrol areas where the forces are going to be kept under cantonments and extension of its protection of civilians sites.
“We have agreed on the UNMISS mandate to be extended for the next three years until the elections are held in the country after securing the safety of civilians in the region and also to participate fully in the election to make sure that the elections are transparent and fair,” he said.
Dong urged the UN to help the country in terms of capacity building, through training the joint polices, schools, improve health facilities and prepare the military for fair trials.
“We are calling on the UNMISS as well as the I GAD plus, to make sure that all organized forces are out of Juba including the national security services which was described as the most danger and threat to the national peace in the country,” the group said.
The armed opposition further accused government for deploying an estimated 10,000 armed personnel with small arms and dressed in civil clothes within Juba, stressing that this would cause insecurity in the national capital should they be left to continue existing.
“We are recommending for only joint police to patrol and protect civilians to be in Juba in the next coming transitional government of national unity (TGONU),” said Dong.
The armed opposition members reaffirmed their commitment towards reconciliation and healing to take place among the population in all regions of the world’s youngest nation.
(ST)