Security Council Extends Mandate of United Nations Mission in South Sudan

The Security Council decided today to extend the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan for one year.

Adopting resolution 2625 (2022) (to be issued as document S/RES/2625(2022)) under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, members decided — by a vote of 13 in favour to none against, with 2 abstentions (China, Russian Federation) — to extend the mandate of the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) until 15 March 2023, and to maintain its force levels with a ceiling of 17,000 troops and 2,101 police personnel.

Also by that text, the Council mandated UNMISS to carry out tasks in four key areas:  protection of civilians; creation of conditions conducive to the delivery of humanitarian assistance; support for implementation of the Revitalised Agreement and the Peace Process; and monitoring, investigating and reporting on violations of international humanitarian law, as well as abuses of human rights.

By other terms, the Council called for strengthening the Mission’s sexual and gender-based violence prevention and response activities.  Members demanded that all parties immediately cease all forms of violence, human rights violations and abuses — including rape and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence — and called upon the Government of South Sudan to hold those responsible to account.  Expressing deep concern about delays in implementing the Revitalised Peace Agreement, they called on the parties to implement it fully, and for the full, equal and meaningful participation of women, civil society and others in all conflict-resolution and peacebuilding efforts.

Further by the text, the Council called upon the Government and other relevant actors to undertake several priorities before the end of the current UNMISS mandate.  They include providing security to re-designated civilian-protection sites; initiating and overseeing a permanent constitution-making process; accelerating progress in preparations for free and fair elections; ending all obstructions to UNMISS; completing the graduation of necessary unified forces; and progressing towards establishment of the Hybrid Court for South Sudan, as well as the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation, and Healing and the Compensation and Reparation Authority.

Source: UN website