23 February, 2015 - To increase understanding of the UNMISS role in protecting civilians and promoting human rights, mission officials in Upper Nile State today conducted a village debate in Bunj, a locality in Maban County.

Some 35 participants representing youth, women, traditional and religious leaders commended the role of UNMISS in protecting civilians since crisis erupted in the country in December 2013.

Wajdan Adam, a participant, noted that protection of civilians, is the responsibility of all stakeholders.

“The protection of civilian, especially children and women, is the responsibility of all stakeholders, (but( when a certain group controls the area they do not protect or consider the vulnerable children and the women,” he said.

The chairman of the youth in Maban County, Jafar Noka Kay, said the current crisis had led to many people to becoming victims without protection.

He called on the government and UNMISS to protect civilians.

“The protection of civilian is the primary responsibility of the government,” he said. “Leaders of the community must ensure that their community members are protected from any threat.”

Another participant, Nydong Lego, urged all leaders to put aside their differences and give peace a chance so that the children can go back to school.

“Most of the children now have left the schools as a result of war,” he said. “Our leaders must work hard to achieve peace so that the children can get the chance to continue with their studies because they are the future of this country.”