IDPs in Juba protest UNMISS decision to withdraw peacekeepers from camps

JUBA – South Sudanese internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country’s capital Juba have today went on demonstrations to protest the decision by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan to withdraw peacekeepers from two major camps.

Last week, the UNMISS and Special  Representative of the UN Secretary-General David Shearer said it was withdrawing troops from two major camps in Jonglei and Upper Nile state saying security situation had improved.

“It’s a significant withdrawal of numbers for us,” Shearer said during a press conference last week adding that generally a company of 150 soldiers is assisted by one or two companies of police in guarding the camps.

Speaking to Sudans Post this afternoon, Michael Kuol, an internally displaced person who is taking part in the protest said they were demanding the presence on UNMISS peacekeepers in all the protection of civilians’ sites across the country.

“We came out to day to protest against the decision of UNMISS to withdraw UN soldiers from some camps. I think this is gradual and it will also take place in Juba POC,” Kuol said. “This is not the time to do that. We still need protection because the protection needs are still there. People are still being killed by the government despite the peace agreement.”

Another protester said “we regret the UN decision because this is not the right time to withdraw protection from the protection camps because even the security forces are still killing and our houses are still being occupied by soldiers.”

“Where do they want us to go?” he asked.