The United Nations Security Council has on Saturday renewed the mandate for the UNMISS to protect the South Sudanese civilians and build durable peace in the war-torn world’s young nation. The mandate will last until March 15th, 2021.
According to a press release published on Saturday, the Security Council welcome the unanimous decision made by the members to renewed the UNMISS mandate for the South Sudan mission.
“In a unanimous Resolution, members of the Security Council welcomed “encouraging developments” in South Sudan’s peace process including the demonstration of political will by the parties and the reduction in political violence.”
The Council called on all the parties to the conflict to take the necessary steps in implementing the revitalized peace agreement signed in September 2018. The council also encouraged the leaders to establish the institutions without further delays.
“The Council called on all parties to the conflict to fully implement the revitalized peace agreement, signed in September 2018, and to establish their various institutions without delay. The new transitional government was formed three weeks ago, and the ministerial appointments were announced by the President yesterday.”
The further mandate has been added to the Resolution. The UNMISS will use its offices to provide more technical assistance to the institutions.
“The new Resolution prioritizes UNMISS support for the implementation of the peace agreement and the peace process more broadly. It requires the Mission to use its “good offices’’ to carry out this work, including providing advice or technical assistance.”
The Council also called for the inclusion of various groups including youth, women, civil societies, and Human Rights organizations to be part of the implementation of the peace process.
“The Council notes that the peace process going forward is only viable if the parties are fully committed and if civil society, women, and youth are included. It intends to keep the tasks and composition of the peacekeeping mission under “active review” based on progress with the peace process and implementation of the agreement.”
However, the Security Council maintained limits on military and police capacity at 17, 000 and 2,101 respectively.
“The Security Council maintained overall limits on military and police personnel at 17,000 and 2,101 respectively. It requested UNMISS to ensure its troops are mobile and proactive in responding to emerging risks and threats to civilians, including in remote locations, as well as assisting with providing a safe environment for displaced families returning home.”
The new mandate is projected to protect the country to return to war and help during the upcoming elections.