The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has extended the mandate of UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) by a year, saying the mission has excelled in its obligation.

The council sat for a virtual meeting on March 12, which culminated in the presidential statement and the extension of the mandate of the UNMISS to March 15, 2022.

UNMISS mandate was extended under the Resolution 2567. According to the council, the mission has delivered well on its mandates. The council said UNMISS scored highly in protection of civilians, assisting in the distribution of humanitarian aid and fast-tracking the implementation of 2018 peace deal to provide pathway to stability.

The council called on the mission to intensify its efforts and provide technical assistance to the support organisations as well as according proper working conditions to women in the peacekeeping mission.

The others were Resolution 2566 which authorised the size of UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and Resolution 2568 which reauthorised the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

The decision comes after Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) conducted a rotation of its troops serving in Malakal under the UNMISS. 128 soldiers replaced a group of 105 who exited to Kigali last week.

UNMISS head David Shearer has also been vocal calling on the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) to implement all the chapters of the 2018 peace accord.

Areas of notable concern to the UNMISS boss have been on the graduation and integration of the national forces who are yet to be deployed, their well-being and the pace of implementing the peace deal.

Repatriation and resettling of the refugees is still pending too.