The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) yesterday said a press statement claiming that it is “withdrawing” its security presence from the Protection of Civilians site in Malakal is incorrect and risks causing unnecessary concern among the displaced community.

According to the UNMISS press release, the inaccurate press statement follows a discussion held in Malakal on 5 November 2021 as part of ongoing consultation about the future of the Protection of Civilians site with stakeholders, including the Governor and other local authorities, UNMISS, humanitarian partners, and representatives from the displaced community.

“During the discussion, UNMISS reiterated its very clear position, in line with Security Council Resolution 2567, that the right security conditions must exist in Malakal before any transition of the POC can take place and reinforced its commitment to work with the Government to build its capability to provide protection for vulnerable communities,” the press release read. “UNMSS will also continue to fulfill its mandate to protect civilians in Malakal as in other locations across the country.”

It added: “No announcement was made about a decision to “withdraw” from the Malakal POC and it is unfortunate that this erroneous claim has been reported by media as fact.”

On 8 November, the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA) in a press release said they were shocked and dismayed by the decision by UNMISS to withdraw its security personnel from providing security to the internally displaced persons who have been taking refuge in Malakal POC site for years. 

“The decision by UNMISS to withdraw its personnel protecting these helpless innocent civilians is unacceptable,” the SSOMA statement read in part. “Furthermore, the security situation in Upper Nile State is still volatile and there is no clear road map for security protection of the people in Malakal and other towns in South Sudan guaranteeing their security and safety neither by the government of South Sudan nor the UNMISS.”

SSOMA added: “We call upon the UN, Troika, IGAD, and the African Union to stop this irresponsible decision which will put the lives of over Forty-Five thousand (45,000) innocent civilians at risk of genocide.”

Protection of Civilians sites (POCs) were established by the UN to provide sanctuary to vulnerable civilians facing an imminent threat of physical violence during and after the outbreak of violence in December 2013. The rapid establishment of the POCs undoubtedly save many lives and many civilians continue to live in them all over the country. 

According to UNMISS, the peace agreement and continuing ceasefire has resulted in a significant reduction of political violence and, as a result, many displaced people have returned to their homes while those remaining in the UN protection sites are moving freely in and out of the camps to go to school, health centers, markets and to work. 

“As a result, UNMISS and humanitarian partners carried out security assessments at individual POCs and, as the situation permitted, particular sites were redesignated as conventional displacement camps under the responsibility of the Government, including Juba, Wau, Bor, and Bentiu,” UNMISS said. “The transition process was conducted after extensive consultation with displaced communities, humanitarian agencies, local and national authorities, and security forces.”

UNMISS said they have been clear throughout the process and that the transition of Malakal would take more time due to the complex political and security situation in that location.