UNMISS’ New Mandate Engages Local Actors The Special Representative to the UN Secretary General, Hilde F. Johnson assured Kapoeta County in Eastern Equatoria State that the UNMISS new mandate on peace and stability in South Sudan, won’t succeed if civil society groups and other local actors are not involved. 24 August 2011
Hilde F. Johnson (second from left) addressing Civil Society Organizations at Hotel Torit [©Gurtong] By Peter Lokale Nakimangole TORIT, 24th August 2011 [Gurtong] – The Special Representative to the UN Secretary General, Hilde F. Johnson assured Kapoeta County in Eastern Equatoria State that the UNMISS new mandate on peace and stability in South Sudan, won’t succeed if civil society groups and other local actors are not involved. Hilde F. Johnson was speaking to over 200 various representatives from civil society groups, NGOs and religious Institutions led by their team leader, Mr. Jimmy Killang late last week at Hotel Torit before her departure to Torit, the capital of Eastern Equatoria State. "UNMISS hopes to see the new nation governing her affairs securely. The new mandate has a unique approach as it engages civil society, church leaders, traditional leaders and chiefs and of course the RSS remains a key player,” Hilde clarified. “In accordance with the 1996 (2011) UN resolution, the United Nation Security Council established the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) on 9 July 2011, for an initial period of one year with a mandate to consolidate peace and security apart from setting up strategies for development with a view to increase the capacity of South Sudan,” Hilde elaborated to the Civil society representatives. The special envoy clarified that as far as security is concerned, chapter 7 of the new mandate has demonstrated different approaches UNMISS can take to protect civilians as well as conflict mitigation and resolutions. According to the diplomat, to ensue political transition, peace consolidation through inclusiveness, the political space should primarily enable different actors up to the lowest levels to be realized. The Security Council has authorized UNMISS to perform responsibilities not limited to support for peace consolidation and foster longer-term economic development for the new nation, support the Government of the RSS to exercise accordingly its tasks to prevent conflict, mitigation, and resolution plus civilians protection. She said UNMISS’ support to the Government of the RSS lies on the principles of national ownership which is in cooperation with the UN country team alongside other international partners by developing its capacity to provide security. Respect for human rights, protection of vulnerable women & children and encouraging democratic transition are among the key issues in UNMISS’ mandates. The Chairperson of Eastern Equatoria State civil society organizations network, Mr. Jimmy Kilang informed the special UN envoy that information sharing between the State government and civil society organizations has been lacking and has created gaps in the State. He complained that the government viewed Civil Society Organizations (COS)/ groups as an opposition to them. “We have unreliable relationship with the government. At times we are not invited for public functions...Why?” He wondered. Mr. Kilang observed that the failure of involving civil society organizations in government programs has created setbacks which have narrowed room for their participation in governance. Posted in: Home, Foreign Relations, Foreign Aid/Assistance -- 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.
