29 December 2014 - In a continuing effort to keep its protection areas safe, UNMISS today destroyed weapons and ammunition confiscated from internally displaced persons (IDPs) living at its base in Bor, Jonglei State.

The weapons included over 100 rounds of ammunition, 20 machetes, 140 military uniforms and accessories, bayonets, sickles and empty magazines.

“I still inform each and everyone here in Jonglei as well as in Bor town that we will do whatever it will take to ensure that no one enters our base with a weapon,” UNMISS State Coordinator Hazel De Wet said during the exercise.

She called on the government to inform the community that UNMISS Bor was free of weapons and to respect this policy.

UN Police Deputy State Advisor Colonel Komane Eddy said search operations for weapons had taken place on three occasions. “The first was when the IDPs entered the UNMISS base during the conflict, (then) during the relocation and lastly when the IDPs came to their current place.”

Jonglei Deputy Governor Baba Medan said peace was the route to development, especially for the younger generation. “We need to see our children growing up with a future. Only peace will promote development for our people.”

Indian peacekeeper Brigadier General Rajeev Kumar said his colleagues would work with the government to free South Sudan from conflict and focus on development.