By Staff Writer
The Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, Mr. Nicholas Haysom has pledged to supportcapacity-building of the police and other forces during the function in which the first bunch of unified forces were graduated on Tuesday.
“We will continue to offer support, including capacity-building of the police and other forces, and advising on the technicalities of security sector reform and a broader DDR process” Haysom added.
He indicated that they have in collaboration with the government taken a particular interest in the potential of the Unified Wildlife Services because of the potential it has to support the creation of tourism-related livelihoods, physical infrastructure, and the protection of the people of South Sudan’s natural resources.
Mr Heysom further urged the parties and the Government to shape on the agreement and energy created in the last few months to execute the critical benchmarks of the peace process.
“As ever, the UN stands ready to support the Government and people of South Sudan. We will do so with IGAD, with R-JMEC, with the African Union, and the international community,” he remarked.
He revealed that the first graduation is a decent step to the pathway of peace as unified defense force is a crucial and meaningful expressions of national unity, especially in societies emerging from conflict.
“It is a pleasure and a privilege to be with you on this occasion of the graduation of the first batch of the Necessary Unified Forces as a witness. The United Nations congratulates the parties and the Transitional Government for giving life to this commitment to create a single national defense apparatus under civilian government authority,” he said
Heyson further said that the implementation of transitional security arrangements is a cornerstone upon which extra meaningful steps like broader security sector transformation process, nation building, and sustainable development can be tagged.
The capacity of the Transitional Government to protect its own citizens, display South Sudan’s respect for International Humanitarian Law, and guarantee the territorial integrity of South Sudan, will all be strengthened,Mr.Heyden outrighly outlined.
“This is not the end of the process, but a new beginning. The graduation of the Necessary Unified Forces is an initial step in a complex but essential process of constructing a national army and other organized forces. It will require, as you are aware, a continued commitment by the Transitional Government to fund, deploy, and sustain these forces over time,” he singled out.
The UN principle also tasked the National Unified Forces to play critical role in meeting the security and logistical needs for legitimate and credible elections, as provided for in the Peace Agreement.
“The most urgent challenge before the Transitional Government is in breaking the cycles of violence and conflict that have spread from north to south and east to west through the country. Today’s graduation opens the possibility of effective deployment to curtail subnational and inter-communal violence,” he hoped.
