A high level team of UN officials visited Yei River State last week to assess safety for civilians, a trip that signals increased attention to the area. 

The UN team from the mission in South Sudan met top religious leaders, government officials, youth, women and rights groups in Yei River State.

“We have come here to assess the situation of the people and we visited the previous site where UNMISS had a base. We also met religious leaders, the youth, women and other stake holders to see for ourselves and also here from them,” said a UN official on the condition of anonymity.

Human rights violations have continued in Yei since fighting broke out in July, the Episcopal Bishop of Yei Hillary Luate told Radio Tamazuj. He called on the UN mission to help churches in their push for peace in the area.

“We as church leaders and elders of the community should be allowed to access both sides of the warring parties. We need our security and protection to carry out dialogue,” said Luate.

The U.N. mission should re-open a protection of civilians site in Yei, chairperson for the Yei Women’s Association Hawa Adams.

“There are vulnerable women, children and the elderly people who cannot afford to run as refugees to other parts of the continent,” said Adams. “Therefore my humble call on UNMISS is that let them open a PoC site so as to build confidence and restoration of peace in Yei river area,”

Local resident John Debu said that the U.N. mission should come to Yei because they can provide security.