Regional protection force to secure civilians along S. Sudan's highways: UN

Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-08 20:55:47|Editor: Zhou Xin
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JUBA, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- The recently arrived Regional Protection Force (RPF) will help secure civilians along major highways in South Sudan in the wake of deadly killings and ambushes by armed groups, the UN mission said on Tuesday.

Head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) David Shearer told journalists in Juba that the already existing 12,000 UN peacekeepers will be boosted following the weekend arrival of the first Rwandan battalion of RPF peacekeepers who are expected to team up with Nepalese and Bangladeshi contingents.

"Having additional troops means we can carry out more tasks related to our mandate to protect civilians and build durable peace. For example it (RPF) will enable us to put more patrols along insecure roads where there have been attacks on civilian vehicles such as Juba-Nimule road and Juba-Bor road," he said.

Shearer disclosed that the arrival of these contingents marks the beginning of the first deployment of the 4,000 RPF troops with the mandate to protect among key installations, civilians in danger zones as authorized by the UN Security Council last year.

"The RPF troops will be based here in Juba but will operate if necessary in the surrounding areas per the mandate authorized by the UN Security Council. It will carry out it's functions in cooperation with the government," he disclosed.

The RPF commander is Rwandan Brigadier Jean Mapenzi and will report directly to Shearer and the head of the UNMISS force General Frank Kamanzi.

Shearer disclosed that the arrival of the Ethiopian battalion is imminent and that more that 650 Rwandan peacekeepers will arrive next week to join the 120 Rwandan soldiers already in the country.

South Sudan descended into violence in December 2013 after political dispute between President Kiir and his former deputy Machar led to fighting that pitted mostly Dinka ethnic soldiers loyal to Kiir against Machar's Nuer ethnic group.

The 2015 peace agreement to end the violence was again violated in July 2016 when the rival factions resumed fighting in the capital forcing Machar to flee into exile.

The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions that have sought refuge in neighbouring countries.

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