State Governor Simon Ober Mawut voiced the need for clarity on the fate of affected national staff during a meeting with a UNMISS delegation on Tuesday, following reports of the office’s closure.
Governor Mawut acknowledged that the decision was beyond local control, describing it as part of a broader global financial challenge facing the UN. However, he stressed the importance of addressing the plight of local staff who risk losing their livelihoods.
“I was informed that UNMISS will close its Aweil field office and others across the country due to a decision already made by the UN,” Governor Mawut said. “But I want to emphasize the concern of national staff who will be laid off. What will be their status after this?”
The governor urged the mission to consider the socioeconomic impact of the move, noting that job losses would worsen the state’s already high unemployment rates.
“The affected staff say they feel targeted, as they have learned that in countries like the DRC and the Central African Republic, similar UN staff were retained despite downsizing,” Mawut added. “These people will soon be turning to my office for help, yet the decision is out of our hands. We need to know your position on this.”
In response, Mr. Qazi Masroor, the head of the UNMISS delegation, said the withdrawal was part of a wider contingency plan triggered by financial difficulties. He confirmed that while some assets would be handed over to local institutions, retaining staff was not part of the plan.
“We have over 500 national staff, and it is difficult to retain them under the current financial constraints,” Masroor explained.
“Some assets will be donated to local institutions, and a few staff from Aweil will be temporarily absorbed into projects in Wau and Juba. We will work with your administration to ensure a smooth handover of the assets.”
The closure of the UNMISS field office has sparked mixed reactions among residents. Some community members have criticized the mission for what they described as its limited impact on peace and security, while others expressed concern that its departure would leave significant gaps in local capacity building and community development initiatives, including the popular Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) that once offered hope to many.
