“The release today by the UN Secretary-General of the summary of the report on the shortcomings of UNMISS troops during the July violence in Juba is a welcome step forward. The summary has strong and important calls for accountability for the failure to protect civilians in South Sudan, and the decision to name specific contingents implicated in under-performance is significant. We hope that the full report will be made public.
“Many of the Executive Summary’s conclusions and recommendations echo those outlined in our Under Fire report released in October, while other recommendations go far beyond ours. We welcome all recommendations that will contribute to a more secure environment for civilians and peacekeepers alike, and are hopeful that the UN will act on them.
“South Sudan is an exceptionally challenging environment for UN peacekeepers. We continue to call for the Security Council to provide the necessary support to UNMISS, including by imposing an arms embargo in response to the relentless obstruction by the Government of South Sudan and opposition forces towards UNMISS.”
Background:
Today’s summary release by the UN Secretary-General is the result of the special investigation into the July 2016 violence in Juba, South Sudan, and the response of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The investigation was led by Major General (retired) Patrick Cammaert.
CIVIC documented many of these challenges facing UNMISS in upholding its mandate to protect civilians in its latest report, Under Fire: The July 2016 Violence in Juba and UN Response, published on 5 October 2016.
Earlier this year, the full report of an independent high-level Board of Inquiry, which investigated the UNMISS response to the violence that erupted in Malakal from February 17–18, 2016, also was not made public.
- Executive Summary of the Independent Special Investigation into the violence which occurred in Juba in 2016 and UNMISS response
- Under Fire: The July 2016 Violence in Juba and UN Response
- A Refuge in Flames: The February 17-18 Violence in Malakal POC
- “Those Who Could Not Run, Died”: Civilian Perspectives on the Conflict in South Sudan
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Notes to editors:
Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC)’s mission is to improve protection for civilians caught in conflicts around the world. We call on and advise international organizations, governments, militaries, and armed non-state actors to adopt and implement policies to prevent civilian harm. When civilians are harmed we advocate for the provision of amends and post-harm assistance. We bring the voices of civilians themselves to those making decisions affecting their lives.
For more information, contact Christopher Allbritton at +1 (917) 310-4785 or chris@civiliansinconflict.org.
