UNMISS is here to support the people of South Sudan

7 Nov 2016

UNMISS is here to support the people of South Sudan

The success of the Sustainable Development Goals, will depend, in part, on how well stakeholders invest and support the young girls of today, according to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).

The announcement was made as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) launched it's state of the World Population report 2016 in South Sudan today.

According to the report, the UNFPA states that of the 125 million 10-year-olds today, 60 million are girls who are systematically disadvantaged at the global level as they move through adolescence into adulthood.

Miraya Breakfast Show host, Sebit William, spoke to UNFPA Assistant Representative Dr Wilfred Ochan.

He began by asking Dr Ochan, why this year’s report has focused on this demographic.

The success of the Sustainable Development Goals, will depend, in part, on how well stakeholders invest and support the young girls of today, according to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).

The announcement was made as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) launched it's state of the World Population report 2016 in South Sudan today.

According to the report, the UNFPA states that of the 125 million 10-year-olds today, 60 million are girls who are systematically disadvantaged at the global level as they move through adolescence into adulthood.

Miraya Breakfast Show host, Sebit William, spoke to UNFPA Assistant Representative Dr Wilfred Ochan.

He began by asking Dr Ochan, why this year’s report has focused on this demographic.

The UNMISS SRSG, Ms. Ellen Margrethe Løj, has reiterated that the mission is here to support the people of South Sudan, during a meeting with members of the South Sudan Council of Elders in UN House, Juba.  Ms. Løj then called for the guns to go silent, to allow the people of the country to return to their normal lives. 

 

The Head of the UN Mission explained that UNMISS is here to support the peace process and the people of South Sudan.

 

“The United Nations does not want to take over South Sudan,” Ms Løj stressed, adding that “we are here to assist in solving the countries difficulties so that the people can live in peace regardless of their gender and ethnicity.”

 

The SRSG added, “The sooner you solve disagreements amongst each other in a peaceful manner the better, so that the people can live in peace.”

 

Deng Macham, Chairperson of the South Sudan Council of Elders, asked UNMISS to facilitate a workshop to explain the role of the UN Mission in the peace and reconciliation process of the country. 

 

“We need this workshop so that we can work together with UNMISS to explain to the people that the UN is here to support the people of South Sudan,” Macham said.

 

He explained that the forum would clear misconceptions and inform citizens about the role of the UN Peacekeeping Mission.

 

“Most people in the country feel that the UN wants to take over South Sudan,” Macham said, “so we want to hear from you, so we can then clearly explain it to the people,” he added.

 

The meeting was also attended by members of the South Sudan Civil Society Alliance.