The UN confirms plans to reinforce military presence in the city of Bor South Sudan 2312134

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Defence & Security News - South Sudan
 
 
Monday, December 23, 2013 10:53 AM
 
The UN confirms plans to reinforce military presence in the city of Bor South Sudan.

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for South Sudan released a statement on Sunday, December 22, 2013, confirming plans to reinforce the UN's military presence in Bor, Jonglei State and Pariang County, of Unity State.
     

Zambian soldiers from the UN peacekeeping force sit atop an armoured personnel carrier at the UN base in Sudan's Abyei town.
     

Hilde Johnson, who is also the head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), said the Mission would continue to protect civilians and that it "would not be intimidated by any threats, attacks or obstacles" put in its way.

About 40,000 civilians are being sheltered in UN bases and other locations around the country.

On Saturday, UNMISS relocated all remaining civilian staff from its compound in the Jonglei state capital of Bor to Juba. Meanwhile, non-critical staff from Juba has been relocated to the Ugandan city of Entebbe.

Ms. Johnson said the evacuation of staff was necessary to reduce pressures on the Mission's limited resources.

She added that UNMISS was "not abandoning South Sudan" and that it would "continue to work with and for the people of South Sudan".

Plans are also underway to relocate all non-critical UNMISS staff from the Mission's compound near the Unity State capital of Bentiu, and reinforcements are also being planned for Bentiu.