UNSC extends peace keepers mandate in South Sudan
May 28, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Thursday has passed a resolution extending mandate of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) until 30 November 2015.
The resolution reaffirmed UNMISS mandate to protect civilians in South Sudan, monitor and investigate human rights abuses, create the conditions conducive to the delivery of humanitarian assistance as well as support the implementation of the cessation of hostilities agreement signed by the warring parties in the country.
It said that the situation in South Sudan continued to “constitute a threat” to international peace and security in the region and urged all parties to the conflict to resume negotiations and reach a peace agreement.
“Urges all parties to engage in an open and fully inclusive national dialogue seeking to establish lasting peace, reconciliation, good governance, including through the full and effective participation of youth, women, diverse communities, faith-based groups, civil society and the formerly detained SPLM leaders, encourages the efforts of IGAD and the United Nations to reach a peace agreement between the parties, and further urges them to ensure that child protection provisions are integrated into all peace negotiations and peace agreements,” partly reads the resolution.
The Council also urged the African Union to release and make public a report by its Commission of Inquiry on atrocities committed in South Sudan by the warring parties.
It condemned the recent upsurge of violence between forces loyal to president Salva Kiir’s government and the armed opposition faction led by former vice president, Riek Machar.
The international body further called on the parties involved in the current conflict to desist from further violations of human rights and abuses such as the ongoing targeting of civilian populations including children, women and elderly.
It also called on the warring parties to desist from attacking and harassing UNMISS personnel and their facilities and provide unhindered access to humanitarian workers that provide relief assistance to the vulnerable populations.
(ST)