The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has welcomed the decision by the United Nations Security Council to renew its peacekeeping mandate until 15 March 2019 with the passing of Resolution 2406.

Since the outbreak of civil war in 2013, UNMISS has remained committed to working with the people of South Sudan to end the conflict and build durable peace so that families can return to their homes to live safely and with dignity.

Currently, UNMISS has approximately 18,000 personnel serving at 17 locations across the country. More than 15,000 of these personnel are uniformed (about 13,500 troops and 1,500 police officers). More than 2,600 are civilian staff working in diverse areas such as human rights, logistics, child protection, gender, political and civil affairs. The Mission also has the largest number of UN Volunteers, with 387 currently serving in South Sudan.

Resolution 2406 requires UNMISS to continue its work to protect civilians, both internally displaced people who have sought sanctuary within protection sites next to UN bases and civilians more broadly through the proactive deployment of its peacekeeping troops across South Sudan. The Mission will continue to facilitate the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need and to monitor, investigate and report on human rights.

The new mandate authorizes UNMISS to support the implementation of the 2015 peace agreement and current peace processes, including through the High Level Revitalization Forum.

The resolution maintains the overall force levels of UNMISS, with a ceiling of 17,000 troops, including the Regional Protection Force (RPF). The role of the RPF is extended from its previous focus largely on duties within the capital Juba and surrounding areas to assisting in the improvement of security within communities in other parts of the country as necessary. This decision acknowledges the changed security environment in Juba since the initial Security Council decision approving the deployment of the RPF.

Resolution 2406 also mandates UNMISS to work proactively to provide technical assistance or advice to government institutions and civil society actors on international humanitarian law, investigation and prosecution of sexual and gender- based violence, in compliance with the UN Human Rights Due Diligence Policy, in order to strengthen protection of civilians and promotion of human rights in South Sudan.

UNMISS welcomes the new mandate and remains committed to working with the people of South Sudan to protect civilians and build durable peace.