UN Reducing POCs population in South Sudan to reduce spread of Coronavirus

September 08, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — South Sudan’s president, Salva Kiir Mayardit, met with the UN Secretary General Representative and the Head of United Nations Mission in South Sudan(UNMISS), David Shearer, on Monday to confirm withdrawal of the UN Peacekeepers.

According to South Sudan presidency, the two leaders discussed the plans of the UN to redesign the UN P.O.C camps and the security situation in the country.

“President Salva Kiir met with Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and the Head of UNMISS, David Shearer at the State House on Monday and discussed the plans of the UN to redesign the UN P.O.C camps and the security situation in the country.” Read part of the statement from the office of the president.

Speaking to media after the meeting, the UN Secretary General Representative said UNMISS made its decision to reduce the population in the Protection of civilian sites to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus.

“the UN protection camps are highly congested, and therefore the UN is planning to reduce the population at the site to curb the spread of coronavirus.” David Shearer told president Kiir.

David Shearer also said that there is improvement on the security situation in Jonglei State and therefore the UN has decided to withdraw forces from the UN based in Bor.

UNMISS began withdrawing forces from Bor and Malakal on Friday last week, a process that Shearer believes is gradual but is also crucial.

The UN decision to withdraw peacekeepers begins before the peace agreement is fully implemented leaving concerns; however, David Shearer has been advocating for this phase withdrawal since 2019.

Read:South Sudan Armed Opposition Dismays by the Statement of the UN Special Envoy, David Shearer

Also read:Kiir, Machar need world’s patience to resolve outstanding issues – David Shearer

The extra forces, according to David Shearer, will be redeploy to volatile areas where inter-communal conflicts are on the rise.