Mastodawn

#UN closure of #SouthSudan 's Akobo base sends the wrong political signal

For a little over a year now, the civil #war in South Sudan has reignited. War crimes by all parties are now commonplace, while the dire humanitarian situation has been deliberately worsened.

https://www.eyeradio.org/unmiss-announces-closure-of-akobo-base/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=unmiss-announces-closure-of-akobo-base

#Africa

UNMISS announces closure of Akobo base

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan has announced the closure of its base in Akobo County, Jonglei State, following what it described as a decision from the highest level. Office of Jonglei state governor reported that a high-level UNMISS delegation, led by the Head of Field Office in Bor, Geetha Pious, delivered the message

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Mathieu Gotteland 6d ago

Meanwhile, it has jailed vice-president Machar and essentially shattered the former #peace agreement to capture the state. President Kiir is on a mission to obtain international support for an end to the "transition" which is both premature and overdue. No significant reforms have been implemented since the end of the previous civil #war in 2018. #Elections which can be neither free nor fair are planned at the end of this year to legitimize Kiir's self-#coup.

#SouthSudan #Africa

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Mathieu Gotteland 6d ago

Since then, and repeatedly, the South Sudanese government has taken aim at the #UN mission in the country (#UNMISS), in a context of open defiance towards any external pressure to "keep" the #peace, democratize #SouthSudan, or implement minimal state-building reforms.

Operations to retake Akobo from the opposition a month ago have seen hostility to UNMISS come to a head. The government had ordered peacekeepers to leave ; they have stayed to better protect civilians.

#Africa

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Mathieu Gotteland 6d ago

#UNMISS closure of Akobo base may be due to financial constraint (mostly on account of arrears owed by the #US and #China) but is highly symbolic in such a context. The #UN have reversed the signal it had sent Kiir by staying amid military operations - and have essentially given him a blank check.

#SouthSudan #Africa

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Mathieu Gotteland

Much will depend on whether the international community - primarily the #AU and the #US - will support this year's sham #election. And whether they will turn a blind eye, much like in neighbouring #Sudan, towards widespread atrocities waged against the South Sudanese.