7 May 2015 - To familiarize himself with the situation in Lakes State, the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General (DSRSG) in South Sudan (Political) Moustapha Soumaré visited the state capital Rumbek today.

The DSRSG met with Deputy State Governor Santo Domic Chol, who briefed him about the challenges the government faces in bringing peace to the state.

“We discussed several issues like the (poor) road conditions,” Mr. Chol explained. “For UNMISS, it is important to move along the roads for the protection of civilians.”

The Deputy Governor also addressed the issue of the Mission’s mandate, which suspended capacity-building activities by UNMISS when it was renewed last year.

Mr. Soumaré stressed that the mandate is not decided by the Mission, but rather by the UN Security Council in New York.

“We have agreed to work together and advocate, so we can have a mandate that allows us to address the challenges.” he said. “Peace is in the hands of the South Sudanese and we will work closely together.”

The DSRSG, who was accompanied by other senior mission officials, also met with the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the President of the High Court and representatives of local women groups.

“This was a very emotional meeting,” said Mr. Soumaré about his meeting with approximately 30 women, who expressed their desire for an end to the violence that has plagued parts of Lakes State. “It’s very important for us to listen to the women because those who can really make peace are women.”

The members of the UNMISS delegation conveyed their sympathies to the Nepalese Force Reserve Battalion at a special ceremony at the compound, during which Mr. Soumaré signed a condolence book.