An integrated mission of the United Nations Mission in the country (UNMISS) recently visited the Greater Kajo-Keji region to find out more about the humanitarian, security and economic conditions in the area. UNMISS also provided force protection for CTSAMM, the body responsible for verifying compliance with the Cessation of Hostilities agreement.

Among the visiting team’s findings were problems with cattle raiding and the retrieval of stolen cattle, and the need for food and basic services of the more than 20,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Logo IDP camp. The IDPs, from various parts of Central Equatoria, fled there from their homes following intensified fighting in some areas in November 2016. Ongoing rumour mongering is also part of the regional picture.

James Mugo Muriithi, UNMISS Civil Affairs Division Officer. “We are going to share our finding on the conditions of the IDPs in Kajo-Keji with relevant humanitarian actors, so that this crisis is responded to”, says James Mugo Muriithi, an UNMISS Civil Affairs Officer and participant of the integrated mission.

The team met with a wide spectrum of stakeholders, including the authorities of the four counties of Liwolo, Nyepo, Kajo-Keji and Kangapo, which make up the Greater Kajo-Keji area, besides meeting army commanders, police officers, as well as youth groups, women representatives and local elders.

“Our visit to Kajo-Keji is to meet with local authorities, including the various sections of the civilian population in order to see firsthand the challenges confronting them during this difficult time and seek areas of intervention,” says UNMISS Human Rights Officer Isaiah Lauro.

As per the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCISS), UNMISS plays an important role in facilitating the logistics for the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) teams, including providing them the necessary mobile and fixed site security.

Migdalia Agosto, one of CTSAMM’s international observers, says she has enjoyed a collaborative effort with UNMISS. The mandated cooperation with UNMISS has given CTSAMM access to areas which were previously difficult to visit for verification of the cessation of hostilities agreed between the government and the main opposition in January 2014.

“When it comes to areas which are dangerous to go to without military support, UNMISS is the only ones who can provide us with the necessary force protection”, Ms. Agosto says. and adds:

“We shall alert the relevant authorities on the issues raised during our visit, so that those in a position of influence can seek areas of addressing them.”

Luka Yombek, County Commissioner of Kajo-Keji County, explains that the residents of the Kajo-Keji region experienced rampant bouts of looting and harassment by uniformed people, including cases of rape, in September and October last year.

In part, Commissioner Yombek says, hostile propaganda, rumours and gossip, play a vital role in creating unnecessary panic in the community, leading civilians to flee their homes to either IDP camps or neighbouring countries.

“I hope the presence of UNMISS and CTSAMM here will help deescalate the prevailing rumour mongering and restore trust,” Mr. Yombek says.

Under the UN Security Council Resolution 2327, UNMISS, in cooperation with the UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, is tasked with monitoring, investigating and reporting on incidents of hate speech and incitement to violence.

UNMISS consistently calls on the parties to the conflict to immediately disown and counter increasing hate speech and ethnic violence and to promote reconciliation among its people, including through a process of justice and accountability.