UNMISS boosts awareness of mandate in Malakal

27 Jul 2012

UNMISS boosts awareness of mandate in Malakal

26 July 2012 - To create awareness about its role in South Sudan, UNMISS hosted a one-day sensitization seminar for Upper Nile State Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) officers today in the capital Malakal.

In opening remarks, state Governor Simon Kun Pouch said the seminar would go a long way in improving relations between UNMISS and state authorities.

"We always complain that the UNMISS is not doing this or doing that," the governor said. "UNMISS is guided by a mandate. This will be explained to you and bring about good cooperation."

Also attending the event were state Minister of Information and Communication Philip Jibeni Ogal, UNMISS Force Commander Maj. Gen Moses Obi and the mission's State Coordinator, Ibrahim Ndiaye.

UNMISS officials made presentations on the UNMISS mandate, Military Concepts of Operations, Status of Forces Agreement, human rights and the rule of law.

Force Commander Obi said the sensitization seminar aimed to improve cooperation and identify SPLA training needs. "The purpose is for us to interact as one family working towards the same goal of supporting South Sudan."

In his presentation on military operations, Maj. Gen. Obi said the deployment of UNMISS forces in South Sudan was based on the security situation and discussions with the government and SPLA.

UNMISS would help strengthen government structures and human rights as well as establish rule of law, he said. It would also assist in protecting civilians and disarming, demobilizing and reintegrating ex-combatants.

This is the third sensitization seminar organized by UNMISS. The first two were conducted in the capital Juba and in Wau, Western Bahr El-Ghazal State, early this year.