United Nations Mission in South Sudan

United Nations Mission in South Sudan. It is a United Nations peacekeeping operation established in the wake of the independence of the world's newest nation. Authorized by the United Nations Security Council in July 2011, its primary focus is consolidating peace and security while supporting the nascent government in Juba. The mission operates in a complex environment marked by persistent internal conflict, humanitarian crises, and political instability.

Background and establishment

The mission's creation followed the successful 2011 South Sudanese independence referendum, where voters overwhelmingly chose secession from the Republic of Sudan. This process was a key provision of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended the Second Sudanese Civil War. The Security Council adopted United Nations Security Council Resolution 1996 on 8 July 2011, just days before the formal declaration of independence by Salva Kiir Mayardit. The initial context was one of optimism but also significant fragility, with unresolved issues such as the status of the Abyei Area and border disputes with Khartoum. Key international actors, including the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, supported the mission's deployment to prevent a relapse into conflict.

Mandate and objectives

The core mandate, frequently renewed and adjusted by subsequent Security Council resolutions, centers on the protection of civilians under imminent threat of physical violence. This includes establishing a robust presence in conflict hotspots like Bentiu, Malakal, and Bor. A second key objective is to monitor and investigate human rights abuses, documenting violations by all parties including the Sudan People's Liberation Army and various opposition militias. The mission is also tasked with supporting the implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance by agencies like the World Food Programme and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Structure and operations

UNMISS is led by a Special Representative of the Secretary-General, a position held by individuals such as Ellen Margrethe Løj and later David Shearer. The military component, under a Force Commander, includes infantry battalions from countries like Nepal, Rwanda, India, and China, operating from numerous bases and Protection of Civilians sites. The police component, including Formed Police Units from Bangladesh, supports the South Sudan National Police Service. Civilian sections focus on DDR, rule of law support, and political affairs, working alongside the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Children's Fund.

Challenges and controversies

The mission has faced severe operational and ethical challenges, notably its initial inability to prevent mass atrocities during the outbreak of civil war in Juba in December 2013. It has been criticized for a risk-averse posture and failing to intervene proactively in places like the Terrain Hotel attack. A major scandal involved allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers from Ghana and other contingents, leading to investigations by the Office of Internal Oversight Services. Logistical hurdles are immense due to the country's vast size, lack of infrastructure, and seasonal flooding. The mission also operates under constant pressure from the government of Salva Kiir Mayardit, which has at times restricted its movement and accused it of overstepping its mandate.

Impact and achievements

Despite difficulties, UNMISS has had a tangible humanitarian impact, directly sheltering over 200,000 civilians within its Protection of Civilians sites during the height of the conflict, saving countless lives from violence perpetrated by the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition and government forces. Its human rights reporting has been crucial for international accountability mechanisms, including the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan. The mission has provided critical logistical support for electoral processes and facilitated dialogue between factions in Upper Nile State. Furthermore, its engineering units have rehabilitated key infrastructure like the Juba International Airport and built hundreds of kilometers of roads to improve access for aid convoys.

Category:United Nations peacekeeping missions Category:2011 establishments in South Sudan Category:United Nations Security Council mandates