09/14/2011
Human rights activists welcome German participation in peacekeeping mission for South Sudan - Support the disarming and reintegration of former militants!
More than 1,500 dead in ethnic conflicts in South Sudan since January 2011
The Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) welcomes the continued German participation in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The federal cabinet came to this decision on Wednesday. "It is an important contribution to the stabilization of this young country, to send not only military advisors but also police training units to South Sudan," asserted Ulrich Delius of the STP's Africa section. "Establishing a credible police force respected by all is made even more important by the fact that South Sudan is scarred by numerous conflicts between various ethnic communities." Since January 2011 more than 1,500 South Sudanese have been killed in inter-ethnic conflicts or rebel attacks, and more than 73,000 have been forced to flee their villages.
"The extent of Germany's dedication to security and good government in South Sudan, however, could be greater," said Delius; "in particular, Germany should support the comprehensive disarming and reintegration of former militants in the regions marked by civil war." This, he says, is the key to a lasting pacification of the region.
The government of South Sudan called explicitly for an extension of the UNMISS mandate through the German government. For South Sudan, which still has a very tense relationship with neighboring Sudan to the north, it is extremely important that European countries take an active part in securing the new nation. "For the parties to the conflict, this is also a clear indication that Germany and Europe have a strong interest in the stabilization of South Sudan," said Delius.