Withdrawal of UN peacekeepers puts civilians at risk: SSOMA

November 8, 2021 (NAIROBI) – South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA) has expressed concerns over the decision by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to withdraw its peacekeeping forces protecting civilians at the protection of Civilian sites (PoCs) in Malakal town.

The UN camps were set up in the South Sudan capital, Juba and other major cities after the war erupted in December 2013, forcing thousands to seek protection. The sites were set up to protect people in imminent physical danger.

In September, however, UNMISS issued a statement saying peacekeepers will now be withdrawing from the sites. The UN-protected sites are to be reclassified as camps for internally displaced people, and placed under the control of South Sudan’s government, according to the UN peacekeeping mission.

“The decision by UNMISS to withdraw its personnel protecting these helpless innocent civilians is unacceptable. Furthermore, the security situation in Upper Nile State is still volatile and there is no clear road map for security protection of the people in Malakal and other towns in South Sudan guaranteeing their security and safety neither by the government of South Sudan nor the UNMISS,” SSOMA said in a November 8 statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

The opposition movement urged the UN, Troika, intergovernmental authority on Development (IGAD) and African Union to stop this “irresponsible” decision which will put the lives of over 45,000 innocent civilians at risk of “genocide”.

Almost 20,000 peacekeepers serving with the UN mission in South Sudan to protect civilians and build durable peace in the conflict-affected country. The civilian, police and military personnel from 73 countries carry out many duties under the mandate provided by the UN Security Council (UNSC).

(ST)