UNMISS begins withdrawal of peacekeepers from major civilians protection camp in Juba

JUBA – The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has started the withdrawal of peacekeepers from civilian protection sites in the country’s capital Juba, according to several internally displaced persons who now say they are unsafe.

In early September, the UN mission announced that it will withdraw troops, from the country’s main civilian camps in Malakal, Bor, Juba, Bentiu and Wau, which currently shelters thousands of civilians.

The UN Special Representative and Head of UNMISS David Shearer said less than two weeks ago that most people in there were telling the mission that they stay to access services such as food and health, not security.

Speaking to Sudans Post this evening, Michael Kuol Malual, a representative for the internally displaced persons said from Juba that the UN troops were pulled out of the POC camp today saying such move has raised fears among those it affects.

“Yes it is true that the United Nations Mission in South Sudan has withdraw the troops from here,” Kuol said. “But now, the situation or the decision taken by the UNMISS is very bad and we have already felt that we are not protected.”

Kuol also works for a humanitarian organization inside the camp said most people in the camp are telling the IDPs leadership that their houses have remained under the control of some army soldiers and that attempts to return has always been risky.

“As you may have known, our houses have been taken by some people who work for the army and the government. Returning home is very risky unless you want to die. If you try to tell those who occupiers our houses that it belongs to you, they will kill you,” he said.

“Besides, the security situation for Jebel will not be going well because this capital city is very well militarized and everyone has gun. So, if anyone comes with gun, that person will kill at will,” he added.