The head of the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has insisted that the mission maintains a “zero tolerance approach” to any attempts to militarize the camps for displaced people.
David Shearer was speaking in Bentiu, where some 115,000 people are currently living in the mission’s largest Protection of Civilians site (PoC).
22 men were reportedly taken into custody by Mongolian peacekeepers last month, after they tried to break into the camp to seek shelter from fighting.
“The only way to keep women and children safe in this camp and all civilians in need of protection is to make sure they do not become militarized,” Shearer said.
“Undoubtedly, UNMISS has saved tens of thousands of lives by providing these sanctuaries from violence, but ultimately,” Shearer added “we need to find a longer-term solution so that these people can return home and live productive lives.”
“Only those civilians in imminent danger and whose lives are at risk should be sheltering in these sites,” the UNMISS chief said.
He pointed out that UN Police Officers are working with community groups in the sites to ensure the civilian nature of the camp, as well as security and stability are maintained.