The UN Security Council on Thursday unanimously extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan for 45 days.
According to a statement, the 9575th meeting of the 15-nation organ on 14 March 2024 decided to extend the mandate of UNMISS based on the situation in South Sudan.
“The Security Council, recalling its previous resolutions, statements of its President, and press statements concerning the situation in South Sudan and determining that the situation in South Sudan continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security, acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, decides to extend the mandate of the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS), as set out in resolution 2677 (2023), until 30 April 2024,” the statement said.
The Security Council also authorized UNMISS to use all necessary means to carry out its tasks.
UNMISS is mandated by the Security Council to carry out tasks in four key areas — protection of civilians; creation of conditions conducive to the delivery of humanitarian assistance; support for the implementation of the Revised Agreement and the Peace Process; and the monitoring, investigating, and reporting on violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights — while requesting the Secretary-General to inform it of any obstacles and stressing that the protection of civilians shall be given priority.
South Sudan is scheduled to hold elections in December 2024 but the UN, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Norway, and other observers have repeatedly said that the country is not prepared for the elections and that the government is doing little to prepare for transparent, credible free and fair polls.