UN mission in South Sudan to deploy troops in seven ‘hotspots’

JUBA – The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Tuesday said it will deploy troops temporarily in seven hotspots areas across the country to help mitigate communal violence.

The seven volatile areas which need the attention of UN peacekeepers include Maban, Warrap, Jonglei, Akoko and others.

“UNMISS has also increased our patrols to potential hotspots and this week we plan to deploy peacekeepers to seven temporary operating bases across the country,” said David Shearer Special Representative of Security-General during a press conference at mission office in Juba on Tuesday.

The UN diplomat said the mission intends to increase its operations to prevent conflict especially during the dry season where most cattle raiding operations occurred.

“If we can deploy early in the dry season, we have better success to prevent violence before it happens. Our efforts to reach Romich in Warrap State, for example, have been continually blocked on the group,” said  Shearer.

Shearer revealed that the mission has officially handed over the protection of civilians at POCs in Juba and Bor to the government.

“I am also pleased to confirm that protection of Civilian Sites in Bor, Wau and Juba have successfully transitioned to conventional IDP camps under sovereign responsibility of the government. The process has gone smoothly,” he said.