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UN Security Council extends peacekeeping mission in South Sudan

Representatives vote on a past draft resolution during a UN Security Council meeting at the UN headquarters in New York. (Photo: (Manuel Elias/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

By Mwangi Maina | 30 Apr 2024

It comes as South Sudan prepares for its first post-independence elections scheduled for December this year, but uncertainty looms over whether the election will take place.

The UN Security Council on Monday voted to extend the mandate of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) for one year, with 13 in favour and permanent members Russia and China abstaining.

The resolution maintains a maximum capacity of 17,000 troops and 2,101 police personnel.

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It comes as South Sudan prepares for its first post-independence elections scheduled for December this year, but uncertainty looms over whether the election will take place.

China's deputy representative to the UN, Dai Bing, criticised the resolution for putting too much pressure on the South Sudan Government and making judgments beyond reasonable limits.

China also accused the United States of ignoring their calls for amendments and urged for inclusiveness and impartiality.

Russia's Deputy Permanent Representative for Political Affairs, Anna Evstigneeva, praised UNMISS's role in South Sudan but rejected broadening its mandate, calling it already complex.

"We have consistently supported the work of UNMISS and its head, Nicholas Haysom. However, we could not agree with a number of American proposals on the expansion of the already complex mandate of UNMISS, exercises in fine-tuning the mission's powers with regard to the preparation and convening of elections," read a statement issued by the Russian Mission at the UN.

It added, "It is important to realise that UNMISS is not a pocket gadget, and, what's more, it is not owned by the penholders."

She criticised the resolution text for being focused on domestic politics and accused the US of undermining trust.

In August 2022, all signatories to the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in Sudan agreed to a roadmap extending the transitional period by 24 months to implement its key outstanding tasks.