UN Needs More Forces Deployed In Jonglei

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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The United Nations (UN) Special Envoy to South Sudan Hilde F. Johnson has called for the deployment of more forces to Jonglei State, an effort she said will intensify peace-keeping in the South Sudan’s largest State.

In a press statement she released yesterday, Hilde affirmed the United Nations Mission in South Sudan’s (UNMISS) efforts to intensify security in Jonglei State needs the Government to deploy more security personnel to restore peace in the region.

“We have to see this cycle of violence stop. The people of Jonglei State from all sides have suffered enough. The safety and security of all must now come first, this means a committed, coordinated and cooperative drive by all concerned parties to achieve peace and stability,” she said.

Hilde stressed the need for more forces to be deployed in the buffer zones between the two communities, but the most critical factor according to her was to maintain peace between the two communities. She noted that the situation in Jonglei State constitutes a major test for the newly independent South Sudan.

The special UN envoy also called on the government to take immediate steps to establish its peace team and move with urgency, working with Church leaders, the communities and civil society groups.  “This is the only way that further violence can be averted and the looming humanitarian crisis prevented,” she commented.

The statement came following her tour to Pibor County in Jonglei State together with other key international dignitaries based in Juba after the recent systematic attacks due to ethnic tentions.

Hilde was accompanied by the Commander of the UN peace keepers Gen. Moses Obi. Other dignitaries in the convoy were the US Ambassador to South Sudan Susan Page, France Ambassador to South Sudan Christine Bader, and the UK Charge de’Affaires Brian Jones. The convoy met with local government officials there.

She warned that, “There is a looming humanitarian crisis in Jonglei unless action is taken very soon. I am extremely concerned.”

“UNMISS stands ready to support the Government of South Sudan in their efforts to establish peace and stability. Within our capacity, we will continue to support the peace process and reinforce our presence in key areas to protect civilians. We will maintain daily air and land patrols to deter potential violence but it’s ultimately the Government’s responsibility to restore peace and stability and to protect her civilians from violence,” the statement continued.

Last month’s retaliatory attacks in Jonglei is the latest insecurity threat in the newly independent nation of South Sudan and so far the worst attack in 2011 in Jonglei after one that took place in August last year when the UN Peace Keepers were already deployed. At least 600 people were estimated to have been killed in the August attack.