Mongolian peacekeepers have acted quickly to protect humanitarian workers who were attacked by angry youths during a demonstration in the remote area of Jam Jang in the newly created Ruweng Administrative Area which was hived off Unity State, UNMISS said in a statement.
“On Saturday morning, approximately 50 youth began a violent demonstration about the hiring of workers from outside the local area by a non-governmental organization based in Jam Jang. They stormed the organization’s compound and injured several staff,” the statement said.
According to UNMISS, as soon as reports of the attack were received, Mongolian troops serving with the United Nations peacekeeping mission in nearby Pariang deployed a quick reaction force to protect the humanitarian workers, prevent further violence, and ensure that those who were injured received medical care.
“The peacekeeping team later reinforced their presence with additional troops and are continuing to patrol the area to provide safety and security for humanitarian partners who are working to support communities in desperate need of assistance,” The UN mission said.
UNMISS said over the last few years it has been engaging with authorities in many parts of the country, including Unity, to deal with increasing demands from local populations that agencies should only hire workers from particular ethnic backgrounds.
The statement read, “The United Nations acknowledges the serious youth unemployment problem in the country due to the dire economic situation and fully supports recruitment practices that are based on competence, professionalism, integrity, and respect for diversity.”
South Sudanese youth have overtime demanded that UN and NGOs working in their home states give them priority in employment over foreigners and fellow citizens from other states.
At the end of last year, the youth in Renk, Upper Nile State, and Bentiu in Unity State protested the lack of employment and demanded that some NGOs leave their respective states.
In Renk, Upper Nile State, a humanitarian aid store belonging to Medair was torched and aid vehicles vandalized. This led to security tensions and the evacuation of some NGO staff from the areas.
Two weeks ago, a group of youth, the Monyiemiji Forum in South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State comprised of youth from Torit, Ikotos, and Lopit Counties, petitioned the state government against what they described as unjust employment policies by NGOs in the state.