UN Envoy Implores End of Violence in South Sudanese State
Top United Nations official in the newly independent country has called on the Government, church leaders, civil society groups and the communities themselves to play their part to achieve peace in the troubled area.
Source: UN News
UNMISS Force Commander Moses Obi (left) talking to displaced people in Pibor, South Sudan
Hilde F. Johnson, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), yesterday travelled to Pibor and Fartait in Jonglei, both suffered recent attacks by a large group of armed youths from the Lou Nuer community.
UN agencies, backed by UNMISS, have launched a major aid operation in Jonglei, to help the estimated 60,000 civilians in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Food rations has begun distribution in Pibor and will continue in the town and in other areas.
Ms. Johnson recognized the South Sudanese Government''s decision to deploy extra security forces to the area and called for more forces to be deployed to the buffer zones between the two ethnic communities. The Special Representative also urged the Government to swiftly set up its peace team to deal with the problems in Jonglei by working with church leaders, civil society groups and the communities.
A human rights team has been sent by UNMISS to the area to investigate rights violations and to verify media reports about casualty numbers.
The South Sudanese Government is also investigating the events in Jonglei to establish trust and accountability, and Ms. Johnson called that a "very positive" step.
South Sudan has faced renewed occurrences of inter-ethnic violence since it became independent in July 2011 after voters backed secession from Sudan in an earlier referendum.
UNMISS has reinforced its presence in crucial areas of Jonglei to protect civilians and is continuing to conduct daily air and land patrols. Nonetheless, the mission has repeatedly stressed that the Government has the primary responsibility of restoring peace and stability in the region.
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