The deployment of 4,000 UN protection force into Juba
By Amb. Joseph Ayok Anei, Juba, South Sudan
September 24, 2016 (SSB) — The government of the Republic of South Sudan, in principle, welcomes the deployment of United Nations Protection Force in to the Country, so long as all the outstanding logistical and administrative concerns are cleared, i.e. the parameters of ‘where and how’ the force will be engaged. In any case, with reference to the engagement of UN peace keeping forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda before the Genocide of 1992, and Somalia, increase of the force will not change the political situation on the ground.
It has been advised in the past, and it won’t harm to remind again the World that the South African Model of bringing a nation together after long and bitter internal divide is ‘Rainbow’ Coalition Government Model, concurrent with having Truth and Reconciliation in process, that is encouraged and supported by the International Community. UNMISS and the international peace lovers are urged to support these indigenous efforts and models in that the young country, South Sudan is trying to embrace.
There are also numerous ways of averting man-made disasters in this nation in spending valuable time in politicizing and polarizing positive moves of the government to bring development to its rural communities. The government by Dec. 2014 expanded its administration by providing more states and counties in the country to encourage and bring services closer to the people. Some quarters of the international community were quick to condemn the initiative and demanded the reversal in lieu of any further assistance.
This initiative should be encouraged and followed by the international communities and the UN agencies such as UNDP, to support rural development projects like; roads for easy interstate transport, health centers, schools and vocational centers. These components of development are the tools of national reconciliation. Not only the above, but also discovery of the rich South Sudanese heritage through greater awareness of the treasures in the tribes of South Sudan are not exploited to the benefit of the indigenous, something needs to be done in this field.
The Transitional Government of National Unity (TNGU), is doing its best to bring about peace and much needed development in South Sudan, at a time when ‘spoilers’ (some believed to be contracted from outside the country) are actively at play. Therefore, the International Community is once again urged to cooperate, rather than always file cases against the elected government leaders in the country.
I do not deny that fighting has taken place and people truly have died, property has been taken, even rape took place by criminal elements, especially during those critical four (4) days when fighting was going on in July 2016. But as the government brought the fight to quick end, case by case of criminal activities have been dealt with in accordance to the laws of the land. For example, civilians have been given back items, which were taken by criminals, at the SPLA General Headquarters, at the end of August 2016, and some SPLA officers have been arrested and are being tried in Court Martial for any crimes committed.
Again, the government is asserting that it is in control, to ensure that International and Local laws are also applicable to in-disciplined SPLA and any Regular soldiers during combat, where 1 or even 10 may have been involved in the crimes. It is therefore painful to read and listen to labels ‘demonizing the SPLA, Security Agents and Police’ of a nation, that all of them are perpetrating crime against humanity.
It is time that UNMISS understands that South Sudanese are traumatized; however. The pain is still fresh of what we are doing to one another. It requires concerted efforts in all spheres of our lives to come out of this and healing processes need to be encouraged. The two liberation struggles (1956 – 72 and 1983 – 2005); were for liberation, equality and prosperity of the nation as a whole. Thus the love of South ‘Sudaneseness’ at heart. It is therefore absurd to accuse the same of abusing its people. What is important now is; building trust with the support of UNMISS and TGNU to force.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation will continue to play its role to enlighten and inform the international community of what has actually taken place in the Country. We have accepted to continue the implementation of the signed agreement. The country has also accepted to cooperate with the UN to welcome the Human Rights Committee in early Sept 2016, which was briefed and worked through J1 Complex and the surrounding, of what had happened on those ‘four dark days’ in July 2016, by the President of the Republic.
The team was convinced of the events and how they unfolded, which could not have been started by the government at the heart of its seat in the city. This is an area (J1) that has been experiencing peace and tranquillity for very long with smooth civil interactions around. If there is no hidden agenda, the UN is kindly urged to listen, because in the very end, the country belongs to South Sudanese.
The author, Ambassador Rev. Joseph Ayok Anei, is the Undersecretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Juba, Republic of South Sudan
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