SRSG appeals for peace and development on conclusion of tour to Pibor

SRSG David Shearer in meeting with leaders of Greater Jonglei

13 Mar 2017

SRSG appeals for peace and development on conclusion of tour to Pibor

David Majur Awuou

Pibor, 13 March 2017 - “We want to see peace and once we have peace, everybody can benefit from the roads being opened and from development coming to the area,” said David Shearer, the Special Representative of the Secretary General, while concluding his visit to Pibor last Friday.

The SRSG travelled to the Greater Jonglei area last week, to acquaint himself with the security situation and development challenges in the region.

While in Pibor, the SRSG met the Governor Sultan Ismail Konyi of Pibor and the two discussed ways of easing the tension between the communities in Boma and Pibor.

Governor Ismail Konyi promised to establish close contacts with the Governor of Jonglei to help stop fighting between the Youth and revive the implementation of the communal peace deal reached in December 2016.

“The United Nations will assist you in any initiatives you make for peace dialogue, because the first thing is to maintain peace and then development comes after,” said David Shearer.

He stressed that   the United Nations would like to see peace and stability restored in the greater Jonglei area.

“We hope to be able to resolve this situation between the two sides and if the United Nations can assist and support in any way, we have offered our support, our offices have lokgistics, we want to see peace.” he added.

The visit by the SRSG to Bor and Pibor of Greater Jonglei has renewed hopes about the possibility of saving the Pibor communal peace agreement from collapse.

Mr. Shearer also visited the UNMISS POC site where he spoke to hundreds of the residents at the Protection of Civilians site. The displaced persons asked the SRSG to support efforts to improve the current living conditions inside the camp.

In response, Mr. David Shearer said; “We will work very hard at least to improve the facilities, at least we are working on the overall security of the camp and our UNPOL is providing up to date protection to all of you”