The United Nations has studied possibilities for relocating ethnic Nuers under the protection of peacekeepers within South Sudanese government territory to opposition-controlled territory, according to a report by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Tens of thousands of Nuers sought protection from UN peacekeepers after racial killings in late 2013 and early 2014. They have been living in ‘Protection of Civilians’ (PoC) sites ever since.
The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) stated in a human rights report last year that “house-to-house searches for civilians of Nuer origin were conducted” in Juba from 16-18 December 2013.
“Survivors and witnesses reported that civilians of Nuer origin were killed at police stations, in the streets as they tried to flee, or in their homes and residential compounds… Witnesses reported seeing hundreds of bodies of civilians in the streets of their neighborhoods or as they fled to UNMISS compounds,” UNMISS reported.
Nobody has been publicly tried for crimes committed in December 2013 in Juba.
UN human rights reports also stated that Nuer civilians were targeted in Bor and elsewhere in the country, including one massacre in Bor when the UN perimeter security was breached. According to Ban, survivors living at UN PoC sites may be relocated to locations outside of government control.
In his latest report to the UN Security Council, Ban said that UN agencies have assessed “the option of assisted voluntary relocations of internally displaced persons from protection of civilians sites in Wau and Bor.”
The inter-agency analysis entailed consultations with residents of the protecion sites. While some possible locations were discounted owing to lack of secuity and basic services, three locations were found to be ‘feasible,’ according to Ban’s report.
“Three locations — Leer in Unity State, Akobo in Jonglei State and Pagak in Upper Nile State — all currently controlled by SPLM/A in Opposition were found feasible,” he stated.
He also noted that local authorities in these Nuer-inhabited areas have expressed their willingness to receive and support internally displaced persons coming from Wau and Bor.
“Currently, UNMISS and the humanitarian country team are working on the operational details for these relocation operations, and implementing mitigation measures to address potential protection concerns,” added the UN Secretary-General.
Related:
South Sudan’s Kiir equates UN-protected civilians with rebels (2 Nov. 2014)