UNMISS deploys peacekeepers and civilian expert in tension area of Jonglei
United Nation Mission in South Sudan
UNMISS Deploys Peacekeepers and Civilian Experts to Support Government Peace Efforts in Jonglei State
Juba, 26 Aug 2011 – The UNMISS has deploys peacekeepers and civilian experts to support government peace efforts in Jonglei state of South Sudan.
In press statement announced said that ‘The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) today announced that it had begun deploying peacekeepers and teams of civilian experts to vulnerable areas of Jonglei State. The Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) had also begun deploying to the affected areas. UNMISS peacekeepers will work closely with the SPLA to support their efforts to deter violence. UNMISS civilian staff will help with local reconciliation efforts’.
Reportedly 600 people have lost their lives and tens of thousands of cattle have been stolen in inter-communal violence in recent days.
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General, SRSG, Hilde F. Johnson said:” I want to continue to urge restraint by all communities. Reconciliation efforts must be redoubled. UNMISS civilian staff are now reaching out to community leaders in the affected areas to support this process.
“We stand ready to support the Government and state authorities with all their efforts to ensure peace and stability are restored. And we are now deploying extra peacekeepers and roaming teams to the most vulnerable areas of Jonglei State to support their efforts. The safety and security of all of South Sudan’s peoples must come first and foremost.”
UNMISS surveillance flights over the conflict affected areas are also being conducted on a continuous daily basis. These over-flights will provide information on the situation on the ground in the areas observed, in order to support the Government’s efforts to deter further outbreaks of inter-communal violence.
Ends.