South Sudan, the youngest country to gain independence in the world still deals with issues pre-independence, such as child soldiers, war and rebels.
These issues and the need to attain sovereignty have sparked rumors of UN trying to make South Sudan a UN protectorate, in order to stabilize their political and economical environment. However, Spokesperson of United Nations Stéphane Dujarric set the record straight at a press briefing in New York.
“I can tell you that these reports are completely false. The Secretary-General wishes to make it categorically clear that neither he nor the UN Mission in South Sudan is aware of any plans or discussions within the United Nations to take such a course of action. The UN has supported the cause of self-determination for South Sudan from the time of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement through to the 2011 referendum and independence. None of this would have been possible without the help of the United Nations.”
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) also released a statement, to defuse anymore fears and rumors while they continue with their work in the country. Special representative of the secretary-general, Ellen Margrethe Loej, echoed Dujarric’s statement.
“The Republic of South Sudan is an independent, sovereign State recognized by the United Nations, and is a member of the Organization,” said Special Representative Loej. “The United Nations has no tradition of making independent, sovereign countries protectorates. The principles of South Sudan’s sovereignty and independence are consistently underlined by the Security Council in its resolutions on the mandate of UNMISS.”
Although UN will not be making the country a protectorate, taking away their independence, UNMISS will still work tirelessly to decrease civilians suffering due to conflict in the country. However, this will also require leadership of the government, armed opposition leaders and rebels to implement the signed Cessation of Hostilities Agreement they have signed to come to a peace agreement without the cost of more lives lost.
