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SOUTH SUDAN / SHEARER PRESSER
STORY: SOUTH SUDAN / SHEARER PRESSER
TRT: 2:52
SOURCE: UNMISS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 19 FEBRUARY 2019, WAU SOUTH SUDAN / 26 FEBRUARY 2019 WAU, SOUTH SUDAN / 27 FEBRUARY 2016 BENTIU, SOUTH SUDAN / 27 MARCH 2019, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
27 FEBRUARY 2019, BENTIU, SOUTH SUDAN
1. Various shots, Internally displaced persons at Bentiu protection of civilians site
19 FEBRUARY 2019, WAU, SOUTH SUDAN
2. Various shots, people returning home leaving protection of civilians site
27 MARCH 2019, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
3. Various shots, Special Representative of secretary General David Shearer giving presser
4. SOUNDBITE (English) David Shearer, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS):
“UNMISS is actively supporting the returns process. We have transported people by barge, helicopter, and in convoys of trucks to areas of potential return, so they can assess for themselves whether it is safe to go home. It gives them an opportunity to speak with family members, people from their communities, and return back to POCs to spread the news about what they found on the ground there. I want to make it clear that we will never force people to leave a protection site. But we should do everything we can to realise the dreams of people who want to rebuild their lives in their own home. To deny them that wish is wrong.”
5. Various shots, journalists
6. SOUNDBITE (English) David Shearer, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS): “Overall, our new mandate enables us to continue, and actually to step up, our efforts to support the peace process in support of IGAD. My very strong view – and it’s one that I shared with the Security Council – is that there is no Plan B. There is only a Plan A – the peace agreement that we have in front of us – and this path forward. But, for it to have a chance to work, the agreement needs to be supported. A peace that falters will generate frustration, which will generate anger and a possible return to violence, that could equal that of 2013 and 2016. We cannot allow that to happen.”
26 FEBRUARY 2019, WAU, SOUTH SUDAN
7. Various shots, protection of civilians site
As the overall levels of violence have declined in South Sudan, the chief of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) David Shearer said that the peace agreement is the way forward and the mission is “actively” supporting the returns process of many displaced families.
When civil war broke out in South Sudan, thousands of families fled their homes and sought sanctuary at the United Nations base in Wau. Many have lived in the special protection site for almost six years now, including children born in the camp who have spent their entire life living in a tent.
With the signing of a peace agreement last year, the overall levels of violence have reduced, giving many displaced families the confidence to return to their homes. In Wau, the number of people living in the Protection of Civilians site has dropped from 39,000 to around 14,000.
SOUNDBITE (English) David Shearer, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS):
“UNMISS is actively supporting the returns process. We have transported people by barge, helicopter, and in convoys of trucks to areas of potential return, so they can assess for themselves whether it is safe to go home. It gives them an opportunity to speak with family members, people from their communities, and return back to POCs to spread the news about what they found on the ground there. I want to make it clear that we will never force people to leave a protection site. But we should do everything we can to realise the dreams of people who want to rebuild their lives in their own home. To deny them that wish is wrong.”
The Special Representative Shearer also briefed reporters about the new mandate given to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan by the Security Council. The mandate now specifically includes the facilitation of safe, voluntary and dignified returns as one the Mission’s core activities to protect civilians.
Other changes to the mandate will enable UNMISS to better support the peace process by providing experts to assist with security arrangements, resolution of boundary disputes, transitional justice and accountability measures. This more flexible and proactive approach is particularly important as the target date for the establishment of a new transitional Government of South Sudan looms on 12 May.
SOUNDBITE (English) David Shearer, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS):
“Overall, our new mandate enables us to continue, and actually to step up, our efforts to support the peace process in support of IGAD. My very strong view – and it’s one that I shared with the Security Council – is that there is no Plan B. There is only a Plan A – the peace agreement that we have in front of us – and this path forward. But, for it to have a chance to work, the agreement needs to be supported. A peace that falters will generate frustration, anger and a possible return to violence, that could equal that of 2013 and 2016. We cannot allow that to happen.”
The new mandate requires UNMISS to continue its efforts to build confidence and support peace-building across the country. At least 76 separate rapprochements have already taken place at the local level and UNMISS will continue to support these activities so many more families can return home safely to rebuild their lives.
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