Bentiu POC residents urged to obey ground rules

9 Dec 2014

Bentiu POC residents urged to obey ground rules

8 December 2014 - People sheltering in Bentiu Protection of Civilians (POC) site must strictly abide by camp ground rules to stay safe and secure, irrespective of who they were, UNMISS representatives advised today.

Some violations had occurred and rules were needed to ensure the safety of all, a team from various UNMISS sections noted while briefing residents of the POC site.

For example, rules strictly prohibited possessing weapons like spears and long knives, said UNPOL Police Advisor Melanie Fouche. Brewing and consuming alcohol was also forbidden, as it could cause problems and disrupt tranquility in POC sites.

Addressing political activity, Recovery, Stabilization and Reintegration officer Edmund Tucker said, “The people sheltering in the camp need to remain neutral at all times as long as they are living in the camp.”

Civil Affairs Officer Mwale Langiwe stressed that demonstrations supporting one or another group in the site were not allowed. Instead, groups could present issues affecting them in writing to elders without disrupting the smooth functioning of humanitarian activities.

During the briefing, participants asked why peace negotiations were delayed.

The team responded that reaching agreements take time, as many issues must be discussed and a process followed. But there was hope a final agreement which would bring real peace to South Sudan would be reached very soon, the team from UNMISS Civil Affairs said.