Hopes for UNMISS success in Rumbek to be replicated across South Sudan

Hopes for UNMISS success in Rumbek to be replicated across South Sudan

New UNMISS chief visited Rumbek on his first field trip outside Juba.

31 Jan 2017

Hopes for UNMISS success in Rumbek to be replicated across South Sudan

Daniel Dickinson

The new head of the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), David Shearer, has said that he is keen to find out the “secret ingredient” of the success the mission is enjoying in Rumbek, in Western Lakes State.

Mr Shearer, who is the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in South Sudan, was making his first field trip outside the capital Juba, ten days after he took up his position as head of the mission.

“I came to Rumbek first as it is geographically the centre of the country,” he said, “and it is a good example of the successful cooperation between UNMISS and the local authorities.”

“I want to find out the secret ingredient of this success”, he added, “and see if it can be replicated in other parts of the country where UNMISS operates.”

While Western Lakes State has, in recent times, been spared the worst of the conflict between the government and opposition forces, intercommunal conflict remains a serious security issue.

Cattle raiding

Cattle raiding, often carried out in order to pay high bride prices or dowries, is one of the most long-standing and persistent causes of conflict between communities.

In response to the problem, the Civil Affairs Division of UNMISS in Rumbek has carried out what it calls conflict mapping, a procedure which helps to predict where future conflicts may arise. Once flashpoints have been identified communities are brought together to discuss how to promote peace and reconciliation among belligerent parties.

An enduring conflict which has led to many deaths and which has been driven by cattle theft between the Ruop, Pakam and Kuei ethnic groups has been resolved with the support of UNMISS, and the three ethnic groups are now preparing to hold a grand peace conference later in February.

“Community peace meetings would not have been possible without UNMISS support,” the Governor of Western Lakes State, Abraham Makoi told David Shearer during a meeting at his office in Rumbek on Tuesday.

Road refurbishment

The State faces numerous development challenges, of which infrastructure is one. The peacekeeping troops of UNMISS have committed to repairing, refurbishing and maintaining roads.

In 2015-16, a total of 251 kilometres of road surface were repaired and maintained between Rumbek and Mvolo and Tonj. The refurbishment work will continue through 2017.

“Roads are important for the development of South Sudan,” said the UNMISS chief, David Shearer. “The supply of humanitarian aid as well as business and trade all depends on having a good road infrastructure, but the key is to first bring peace to the country,” he added.