The mandate of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan has been extended by the UN Security Council so it can continue working with the people of the country to protect civilians and build durable peace.

The UN Security Council has passed Resolution 2392 extending the existing mandate which authorizes UNMISS to use all necessary means to carry out its tasks until 15 March 2018. It is a common occurrence for the Security Council to roll-over the mandates of peacekeeping missions for a period of time.

The three-month extension gives the Security Council the opportunity to consider the current humanitarian and political situation, including the ongoing peace process through the High Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) which meets next week, before making further decisions about the existence and nature of the mandate.

The accompanying Statement issued by the President of the Security Council expresses its strong support for the HLRF. It urges all parties to engage constructively in the process without setting pre-conditions and notes that there must be cost and consequences for those who undermine it.

UNMISS welcomes the President’s Statement. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS, David Shearer, recently met with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development’s special envoy, Ismail Wais, the South Sudanese Government and opposition leaders to express the Mission’s support for the peace process.

“The High Level Revitalization Forum is an important opportunity to bring people together so that we can make progress towards durable peace,” he said. “We encourage all parties to actively participate in the process and conduct talks with an open mind. Peace cannot be achieved without compromise.”

“Four years is too long to be enduring conflict, displacement, hunger and suffering,” said David Shearer. “This country has enormous potential and the ability to be one of the most prosperous in Africa but it needs the opportunity to achieve that through peace.”