UN Formalizes Co-Operation With South Sudan

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Republic of South Sudan.

The ceremony held yesterday in Juba was a move to sanctify co-operation with the new nation.

The UNMISS Special Representative in South Sudan Hilder Johnson told the press that the memo would be a legal framework that will enable the UN to formally operate in the new Republic of South Sudan.

Established under the United Nations Security Council resolution of 1996, UNMISS is mandated to provide security and safety to the world’s newest state.

Last month, Ms Johnson announced that UNMISS had resolved to deploy 7,000 peace keepers in South Sudan following insecurity threats.

“We have now signed a deal with the government of South Sudan, paving way for our security operations”, she said.

The official added that the MoU spells three issues that will guide the work of the United Nations in South Sudan.

“ The MoU commits UNMISS to work impartially, with integrity and fulfilling its mandate. It also entrusts UNMISS to fully respect all laws of the Republic of South Sudan as well as committing the UNMISS peacekeepers to work under international principles and conventions”, said Ms Johnson.

The South Sudanese Caretaker Foreign Minister Deng Alor reiterated his government’s appreciation for the UNMISS’s efforts to provide security for the young nation.

“I want to assure the United Nations of our commitment to cooperate with you in implementing this agreement to the fullest”, said the minister.

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