New UNMISS chief pledges to support peace efforts in South Sudan

The new chief of the UN Mission in South Sudan David Shearer on Wednesday reiterated the UN mission’s commitment to supporting efforts to bring peace to the people of South Sudan during his meeting with President Salva Kiir, a spokesman for the UN Secretary-General said.

The new chief of the UN Mission in South Sudan David Shearer on Wednesday reiterated the UN mission’s commitment to supporting efforts to bring peace to the people of South Sudan during his meeting with President Salva Kiir, a spokesman for the UN Secretary-General said.

In a press statement in New York on Thursday, Stephane Dujarric, the Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, said Shearer met with President Kiir in Juba where he pledged to support peace efforts in South Sudan.

“The newly arrived Special Representative of the UN and head of the Mission in South Sudan, David Shearer, met yesterday with Salva Kiir, the President of South Sudan, in Juba. He reiterated the Mission’s commitment to supporting peace efforts,” said Dujarric.

The spokesman pointed out that the new UNMISS chief told President Kiir that the UN and UNMISS are there to support the government and help the people of South Sudan.

Dujarric added that the new UNMISS head said his job will be done when the conditions in South Sudan permit UNMISS to leave.

Separately, the spokesman pointed out that Shearer also met with the South Sudanese Minister of Cabinet Affairs Martin Elia. He noted that Shearer was pleased to hear the cabinet affairs minister reiterate South Sudan government’s commitment to the deployment of the Regional Protection Force (RPF) mandated by the UN Security Council.

Photo: New UNMISS head David Shearer meeting President Kiir in Juba (Credit: UNMISS)