The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said it will carry out human rights investigations to document violations committed during recent clashes in both Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) and Jonglei State.
“UNMISS has also been carrying out human rights investigations to document violations in GPAA and Jonglei. The mission is considering setting up additional Temporary Operating Bases in the area to project a greater level of security and deter further violence,” Nicholas Haysom, head of UNMISS told journalists in Juba on Friday.
He disclosed they will help highlight the prospect of accountability for those who have participated in these acts.
He said that since the start of the conflict, they have been engaging in regular and frequent political and civic consultations with national and state authorities, faith-based and community leaders, and representatives of the Murle community.
“This is occurring on a daily basis, and we will continue to engage so that we can quell tensions and help resolve the situation,” said Haysom.
He said UNMISS will continue to enhance its tools and methodologies to prioritize what they call protection of civilians and appropriately respond to the most serious protection concerns based on their response capabilities.
“Improving our efficacy and speed of action remains our priority. We will continue to strategically place peacekeepers in positions to best protect civilians, especially IDPs and the most vulnerable, which is our most important purpose. However, it must be recognized that the Mission has finite resources and does not have the capacity to respond to all physical threats to civilians across the vast geographical expanse of the country,” said Haysom.
He said that the critical challenge facing South Sudan is to build an understanding that South Sudanese share a common destiny, one that can only be achieved if they put aside sectional interests.
“This is key to the way forward – the determination of the South Sudanese to build a peaceful and prosperous future and establish a true sense of nationhood, recognizing that there is more that unites them that that which divides them,” said Haysom.
