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South Sudan

UN Offers to Increase Peackeeping Patrols in Torit to Improve Security

FRANCESCA MOLD

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan has offered to increase peacekeeping patrols in the Eastern Equatorian town of Torit to improve security and help build peace.

The region is suffering from a volatile security situation with ongoing clashes related to cattle raiding, intercommunal disputes, and violence between armed groups involved in the broader South Sudanese conflict.

The town itself is a target for criminals. While some of the violence is political, other crimes are motivated by the dire economic and humanitarian situation, with people robbing and looting simply to survive.

“There are robberies that are being conducted by some individuals because of hunger. Even those in the prison, when you ask why you broke into somebody’s house, they say, I’m hungry,” said the Imatong State Governor, Tobiolo Alberio Oromo.

Troops serving with UNMISS already conduct regular patrols to protect civilians and help build durable peace. However, on a visit to Torit, the Head of the Mission said UNMISS would like to do more to contribute to a safer environment, including patrolling on foot through the town and at night to deter violence.

“Our UNMISS peacekeepers, who have been patrolling, have created more stability and confidence,” said the Head of UNMISS, David Shearer. “I’ve offered more in that regard in terms of increasing patrols, perhaps even in the town here.”

UNMISS needs the support and permission of local authorities to do this. The Governor is warm to the idea but says help is also needed to improve the state of the roads in the region, which are in a poor condition because of damage caused by war and weather as well as safety concerns created by ambushes by armed groups.

“To patrol at night would be good. But we need to make sure that the community roads and safety are addressed so that you will be able to respond where there is a need,” said the Governor.

The deployment of the Regional Protection Force to Juba will enable existing UNMISS troops to expand their operations to places like Torit, particularly to patrol strategically important roads to make travel safer and to facilitate trade.

Local authorities are also working closely with UNMISS to bring the community together in a dialogue designed to foster peace.

“Certainly from our side, we believe that Torit has an enormous amount of potential,” said David Shearer. “It has got good hard-working people and great soils. It should be one of the most prosperous places in the country. I think we are on the path to creating that sort of a future.”

A future where people are safe to return to their villages, to work on their farms, raise their children, and enjoy a peaceful and prosperous life.