UN to support Great Lakes region on S. Sudan rebels

[Elisabeth Janaina]

UN to support Great Lakes region on S. Sudan rebels

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January 16, 2017 - The United Nations Special Envoy for the Great
Lakes Region, Said Djinnit, and the Special Representative of the
Secretary-General (SRSG) for the Democratic Republic of the Congo
(DRC), Maman Sidikou, have vowed to find durable solutions to the
issue of armed South Sudanese elements operating in parts of the DRC.

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The two officials kick-started a series of joint consultations in Goma
and Kinshasa towns on 12 January, to address the presence of elements
of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-In Opposition
(SPLM/A-IO) in eastern DRC.

While in Goma, the UN officials reportedly met the Governor of North
Kivu, Julien Paluku, and the SPLM/A-IO ex-combatants accommodated in
Munigi camp, in addition to receiving briefings by humanitarian and
legal experts.

Governor Paluku, the UN said in a statement, expressed serious concern
at the potential for further destabilization of the situation in North
Kivu if the SPLM/A-IO elements are not relocated as soon as possible
and requested the world body’s support to facilitate relocation of the
armed group.

The SPLM/A-IO elements, on the other hand, expressed their deep
appreciation to the UN mission’s efforts and support.

The South Sudanese rebels also requested the support of the world body
to be reunified with their families in the region.

In finding a durable solution to the problem in the DRC, the two
senior UN officials reportedly reiterated their commitment of the
United Nations to assist in finding solutions, in cooperation and
consultation with the authorities of the DRC, the countries of the
region, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the
African Union to the presence of the SPLM/IO elements.

“The United Nations is determined to work with the Government of the
DRC, the concerned countries of the region, IGAD and the AU to find
durable solutions for these elements and support the implementation of
the peace agreement in South Sudan”, said Djinnit.

“We must do everything possible to avoid a spill-over of the crisis
from South Sudan into the DRC which would have a serious impact on the
people living in the area already under stress due to activities of
many illegal armed groups”, he added.

Meanwhile in Kinshasa, the UN officials held separate meetings with
Prime Minister Sammy Badibanga, the Chief of Staff to the President,
Néhémie Wilondja, and Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Interior
Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary who led a delegation composed of senior
officials from the Ministries of Interior, Foreign Affairs and
Defence.

The DRC government and UN officials agreed to establish a joint
technical committee tasked to develop some options for the relocation
of the SPLM/A-IO ex-combatants.
The committee’s first meeting is scheduled for 18 January.

“I welcome ?the decision of the Government to establish a Technical
Committee, jointly with MONUSCO, ?to resolve the issue of the
SPLM/A-IO elements in MONUSCO premises. I am confident that this will
provide an opportunity to deepen the Mission’s cooperation with the
Government in this matter,” stressed Special Representative Sidikou.

Following the DRC consultations, the UN two senior officials will
reportedly continue their engagement with national and regional
stakeholders in Juba, South Sudan as well in the Ethiopian capital,
Addis Ababa, in early February.

(ST)