South Sudan’s cabinet endorses UNMISS mandate

October 11, 2011 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s cabinet has endorsed the new mandate of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and vowed to cooperate with the UN mission.

The United Nations Security Council on 8 July in New York passed resolution number 1996 under Chapter Seven of the UN charter with effect from 9 July, which coincided with the day South Sudan was proclaimed as an independent country.

The move was prompted by concerns over insecurity internally the world’s nation as well as potentially with its neighbour north Sudan, with whom many post-independence issues need to be resolved, including defining the north-south border, citizenship, water and oil resources.

UNMISS is also mandated to promote good governance, respect for human rights and a democratic political environment, among others.

Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in South Sudan, Hilde Johnson, was appointed to head the new mission in the country.

The mandate includes protecting civilians under imminent threat, assisting the
government in the process leading to the next general elections as well as assisting in the development of the country, among others.

On Tuesday the Council of Ministers endorsed the mandate in an extraordinary session chaired by President Salva Kiir Mayardit.

In a press statement shortly after the meeting, the minister of Information and Broadcasting, Barnaba Marial, said the government has endorsed the resolution and resolved to fully cooperate with the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative, Hilde Johnson, in implementing the resolution.

He said there will be a “smooth, amicable and cooperative” coordination in the process of implementing the resolution.

Marial further added that the UN mission will also make its troops deployments in consultations with South Sudan’s ministry of defense.

About 7,000 strong UN peacekeepers will be deployed in South Sudan, he revealed.

(ST)