The head of the United Nation Mission in South Sudan, UNMISS has said today that the mission’s new mandate puts the protection of civilians in the heart of its work.
Resolution 2057 passed yesterday by the UN Security said the UNMISS priority is for the protection of civilians and to achieve an improved security environment in the country and focuses attention on capacity building.UNMISS Chief Hilde Johnson told journalists in a news conference that renewed mandate puts protection of civilians in the core of the mission activities.
Ms Johnson added that other keys areas include improving security situation and help the government to lay foundation and expand its authorities in the country.
She said UNMISS is looking to work with the government its people to help achieve its mission.
Ms Johnson added UNMISS still face many challenges because it is not fully deployed and that it is working hard so that all its peacekeeping forces, engineering capacities that are badly needed be provided by the member states.
The renewal of UNMISS’ mandate came after President Salva Kiir Maryardit last month said his office has submitted a letter to the UN Security Council that arguing the Chapter Seven mandate be dropped from the mission.
He said the conditions in which chapter seven was approved has now changed and that it was inappropriate to renew UNMISS mission with Chapter Seven mandate that calls for protection of civilians.
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