South Sudan protection force to be deployed with the consent of the government
IGAD's executive secretary tells the PSC Report about the plans for the deployment of the protection force for South Sudan.
Following the renewed outbreak of violence in early July 2016 between the supporters of South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and those of his rival, Riek Machar, heads of state of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) met on 16 July and 5 August. They proposed the deployment of a regional force with a robust mandate to protect civilians.
Following this decision, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) voted on 12 August for a resolution calling for the deployment of a regional protection force of 4 000 troops within the framework of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Despite earlier reservations, the government of South Sudan announced on 5 September that it would allow the force into the country. This was during a visit by the UNSC to Juba.
The mandate of this force, led by IGAD member states, is ‘to facilitate … free movement in Juba; protect key facilities in Juba essential to the well being of the population; and promptly and effectively engage any actor that is credibly found to be preparing attacks, or engages in attacks against United Nations protection of civilian sites, other United Nations premises, United Nations personnel, international and national humanitarian actors or civilians’. Consultations are now taking place between the region and South Sudan on the modalities of the deployment.
The PSC Report spoke to Ambassador Mahboub Maalim, IGAD’s executive secretary, about the challenges faced by this regional protection force and the peace process in South Sudan.
Like all peacekeeping operations the logistical arrangement will take time |
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The government of South Sudan did not initially approve of the deployment of the protection force. Does IGAD now have its full consent?
The transitional government of national unity has accepted in principle the deployment of a regional protection force. It is currently engaging with the countries of the region on the details relating to the protection force and therefore the force will be deployed with full consent of the transitional government.
What are the challenges faced by the region in deploying this force?
There are no major challenges anticipated, however, like all peacekeeping operations the logistical arrangement would take time and in the meantime the situation on the ground could deteriorate and make the deployment of the force difficult. IGAD member states are politically committed and ready to face the challenges and send their troops to South Sudan under the command of UNMISS.
 IGAD has always been at the forefront in addressing problems within the region |
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What is IGAD’s position regarding the imposition of sanctions or an arms embargo?
Sanctions can only be initiated and enforced by the UNSC and we are aware that there is a draft already circulated. However, our understanding is that it will only be invoked if the parties fail to abide by the UNSC decision.
Do you think that the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, signed in August last year, remains the relevant framework for peace in South Sudan?
Yes, I do.
How do you see the division of labour between the African Union (AU) and IGAD in dealing with the crisis in South Sudan?
IGAD, as the regional organisation, has always been at the forefront in addressing problems within the region. However, IGAD has sought and received the full support and collaboration of the AU Commission [AUC] in the search for a solution to the crisis in South Sudan. As a result, the IGAD-Plus arrangement was created. [In addition to the IGAD members, Rwanda, Algeria, Nigeria, South Africa and Chad are part of IGAD-Plus.]
| The modalities on how to bring the criminals to justice will be a subject of further consultation |
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This innovative arrangement between the relevant REC [regional economic community], IGAD, and the continental organisation, the AUC, has been working very well. Two extraordinary meetings of the IGAD-Plus heads of state and government were convened within a span of three weeks; the first one on 16 July in Kigali, and the second one on 5 August in Addis Ababa. It is based on the decisions taken at these meetings that the UNSC has adopted Resolution 2304 [2016] to strengthen UNMISS and deploy a regional protection force to South Sudan.
All IGAD communiqués have called for accountability in South Sudan. Does the region call for a fast-tracking of the creation of the proposed hybrid court? If not, which framework does the region propose to hold those responsible for violence accountable of their actions?
According to the second IGAD-Plus communiqué, the AU and the UN have been called upon to expeditiously undertake investigations and bring to justice the perpetrators of violence that led to the death of UNMISS personnel, the killing of civilians and humanitarian workers, and widespread sexual violence. The modalities on how to bring the criminals to justice will be a subject of further consultation at the various levels of IGAD, the AU and the UN.
