Upper Nile State, South Sudan
November 11, 2021—The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) denies claims that they are withdrawing their security presence from the Protection of Civilians site in Malakal town.
This comes after a statement was circulated on media alleging the withdrawal of peace-keeping troops from Malakal protection site.
In a statement seen by Nyamilepedia, the UN confirms that no announcement was made about a decision to evacuate Malakal POC.
“it is unfortunate that this erroneous claim has been reported by media as fact.” UN stated in an official statement obtained by Nyamilepedia.
Last month , the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA) said they were surprised and dismayed by the decision by UNMISS to withdraw its security personnel from providing security to the internally displaced persons who have been taking refuge in Malakal POC site for years.
“The decision by UNMISS to withdraw its personnel protecting these helpless innocent civilians is unacceptable,” the SSOMA statement read in part. “Furthermore, the security situation in Upper Nile State is still volatile and there is no clear road map for security protection of the people in Malakal and other towns in South Sudan guaranteeing their security and safety neither by the government of South Sudan nor the UNMISS.”, the SSOA statement reads.
SSOMA in a statement also appealed to UN, Troika, IGAD, and the African Union to revoke their withdrawing decision which might put the lives of over Forty-Five thousand (45,000) innocent civilians at risk of genocide.
Protection of Civilians sites (POCs) were established by the UN to provide protection to vulnerable civilians facing an imminent threat of physical violence during and after the outbreak of violence in December 2013.
According to observers, the rapid establishment of the POCs undoubtedly save many lives and many civilians continue to live in them all over the country.
UNMISS said the peace agreement and continuing ceasefire has resulted in a significant reduction of political violence and, as a result, many displaced people have returned to their homes while those remaining in the UN protection sites are moving freely in and out of the camps to go to school, health centers, markets and to work but said the decision to withdraw is not yet.
