The South Sudan Civil Society Alliance has approved the deployment of a regional protection force to South Sudan, reversing an earlier decision against its deployment.

The group of civil society organizations had earlier said they were opposed to the force authorized by the UN Security Council, saying it would not be able to provide security to the people of South Sudan.

The United Nations Security Council authorized the regional protection force within the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), following the renewed fighting in July, with the mandate to be “responsible for providing a secure environment in and around Juba.”

The decision to support the deployment was announced by Alliance’s Chairperson, Akuoc Ajang Nyanhom, in a meeting with UNMISS officials on Thursday.

Akuoc acknowledged that the primary responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the people lies with the government, and said the United Nations was stepping in to ‘help’ the government, so as to improve the security situation in the country.  

“The force is coming to protect civilian populations and important government installations including the airport, so they are coming to assist the government,” he said.

Akuoc further acknowledged that UNMISS is ‘not an enemy,’ and vowed to work in collaboration with the UN Mission to promote its mandate.

The meeting was arranged by the UNMISS Civil Affairs Division (CAD), to give the civil society activists a better understanding of the mandate and purpose of the 4,000-strong force. 

Guang Cong, Director CAD, briefed the civil society groups on the UNMISS mandate and underscored the importance of community engagement in clearing misperceptions of the mission’s mandate. 

“Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have a special responsibility to promote peace, reconciliation and social cohesion in South Sudan,” he said, adding that “their role is equally vital at both national and subnational levels.”

Cong said UNMISS will continue to closely work with CSOs, faith-based organizations and other partners to create “the necessary conditions for sustainable peace in South Sudan.”

The Civil Society Alliance, in turn, stressed the importance of allowing unhindered humanitarian access and pledged to work with the government, the United Nations and humanitarian partners  to ensure that vital assistance reaches the people in need.

The Alliance said it would create awareness among communities and local leaders through workshops, seminars and other fora.