UN to finish deploying new force in South Sudan by December ArticleComments (4). Email PrintSave --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
July 27, 2011 (JUBA) – The United Nations is planning on deploying a new peacekeeping force in the Republic of South Sudan by December with a stronger mandate, according to the newly appointed UN special representative to the newly independent country. South Sudan VP Riek Machar meeting with UN SG special representative, Hilde Johnson, Juba, July 26, 2011 (ST)The force will replace the previous UN mission in Sudan (UNMIS) which was deployed in 2005 under a weaker mandate of the UN charter per the terms of a peace accord signed between North and South Sudan. The UN Secretary General’s special representative, Hilde Johnson, on Tuesday said the new force will be operating under Chapter VII mandate, which authorizes the use of force in self defense as well as in protecting civilians when in danger. Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter sets out the UN Security Council’s powers to maintain peace. It allows the Council to "determine the existence of any threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression" and to take military and nonmilitary action to "restore international peace and security". It also gives the Military Staff Committee responsibility for strategic coordination of forces placed at the disposal of the UN Security Council. It is made up of the chiefs of staff of the five permanent members of the Council. The UN Charter prohibits member states of the UN from attacking other UN member states. South Sudan became member of the United Nations on 14 July following its independence on 9 July and its subsequent recognition by the world body in New York. In her meeting with the Vice President of South Sudan, Riek Machar today, Johnson briefed Machar on the functions of the 7,000 strong UN peacekeeping troops to be known as the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Johnson said the new mandate will also assist the government and participate in disarming the civilians in the region. It will also form an advisory council to interact with the various civil society organizations and religious groups and contribute to the promotion of good governance, inclusiveness as well as freedom of expression, among many others. She further explained that the mission will have an integrated unit that will be coordinating with the UN agencies in supporting development projects and building of capacity in South Sudan. The region was declared independent following an overwhelming vote in favor of secession from the rest of Sudan in a referendum on self-determination conducted in January this year, in accordance with the 2005 peace accord. The newly independent nation is yet to settle an international border dispute with North Sudan as well as resolve internal insecurity caused by several rebel groups and armed civilian populations. The meeting stressed the need to enlighten the various organs and levels of government in South Sudan about the new force. (ST) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "JFD info" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/jfdinfo?hl=en.
