The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has expressed disappointment on reports of unprecedented clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces and forces allied to the breakaway opposition groups.
Shearer said UNMISS is dismayed to receive a report on the most recent clashes between the government and National Salvation Front forces in Western Equatoria State.
In September, delegates from the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity and the South Sudan Opposition Movement Alliance met in Rome and held discussions facilitated by the Sant’Egidio.
However, the talks, at which UNMISS was represented, produced little positive outcome (if any) with SSOMA storming out of the meeting citing exclusivity.
Shearer, a Special Representative to the United Nations Secretary Antonio said it was appalling to see reports of clashes among forces taking place, a phenomenon he said has crippled the peace process.
“A priority for us is the urgent need to breathe fresh life into the peace process which is currently stalled,” he said.
Giving a comparative analysis between the peace process and the recently-concluded National Dialogue, Shearer said the latter has taken a more positive path.
“The peace process has been top-down; the national dialogue is bottom-up. People spoke frankly and honestly without fear about the problems that they face personally, particularly their disappointment in the peace process,” Shearer said.
Quoting Abraham Lincoln’s famous saying, “Government of the people, by the people, and for the people”, Lincoln said the people of South Sudan need democracy.
“I know that is what people want to have a real say in how the country goes forward and for their voice heard by their leaders.
“It is disappointing that not all parties were represented in the dialogue. I believe they have missed an historic opportunity to come together as a people,” he said.
During the conference, the UMMISS representative also announced the successful transitioning of two of the protection of civilian sites in to a more conventional displacement camps in Wau and Bor.
“So far this process has gone smoothly. The displaced communities have been opened to the change despite some initial concerns and are now working closely with local authorities and the SSNPS who are being supported by UNPOL along with the continued services provided by humanitarians.”
He said, the government now has sovereign responsibility for the sites, as it does with the many other IDPs camps across the country.
“Our UN police officers are co-located with the South Sudan police service at the Yei checkpoint outside the new IDP camps and we are planning to expand the police post there to provide better law enforcement for all residents in the communities,” he explained.