Security essential to reinvigorating bread basket of South Sudan (Statement Attributable to the Office of the Spokesperson United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Yambio, 23 February, 2017)

Security essential to reinvigorating bread basket of South Sudan (Statement Attributable to the Office of the Spokesperson United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Yambio, 23 February, 2017)

UNMISS chief David Shearer on his visit to Yambio on 22 February.

23 Feb 2017

Security essential to reinvigorating bread basket of South Sudan (Statement Attributable to the Office of the Spokesperson United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Yambio, 23 February, 2017)

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Improved security is essential to reinvigorating what has been called the bread basket of South Sudan, the  head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), David Shearer, has said.

Mr. Shearer was making his first field trip to the town of Yambio in the Western Equatoria region of South Sudan, an agricultural region which has typically provided a wide range of food products for the rest of the country.

Production has slowed because farmers are no longer able to plant crops due to ongoing insecurity and displacement.

“Security is the key to getting farmers back to their land,” Mr. Shearer said after meeting Gbudwe State officials in Yambio.

He said that security was also essential on the road network to allow trade and the distribution of agricultural products.

He praised the State authorities for their commitment to boosting agricultural production and moving towards self-sufficiency.

UNMISS hopes the imminent swearing-in of the new Governor of Gbudwe State will be an opportunity to reset and improve relations between local communities and government forces operating there, Mr. Shearer said.

The UNMISS head is also encouraging reconciliation efforts by the State authorities, especially the efforts to reintegrate young people who had joined armed groups active in the area back into the community.

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