UN Urged to Increase Troop Levels in South Sudan for Effective Peacekeeping

Strategic Insights -

The United Nations is poised to establish a new peacekeeping mission in South Sudan following the country's independence on July 9, 2011. A coalition of eight international nongovernmental organizations has called upon the UN to ensure that the mission has a strong mandate to protect civilians and to increase the number of troops deployed from the current 5,000 to 7,000. The recommendation was made in light of increasing security threats in South Sudan, including violent clashes between the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) and armed militia groups, and large-scale inter-communal conflicts over resources.

Key Takeaways:

  • The coalition of international human rights and humanitarian groups, including Human Rights Watch, the International Rescue Committee, and Oxfam, urged the UN to ensure that the new peacekeeping mission has a strong mandate to protect civilians.
  • The recommended troop levels for the new mission are 7,000, a 40% increase from the current 5,000 troops.
  • Between January and mid-May, violent clashes in South Sudan have displaced over 117,000 people and killed almost 1,400, highlighting the need for a robust and flexible peacekeeping presence.
  • The increasing violence and human rights violations this year underscore the need for a peacekeeping mission that is adequately resourced to protect civilians.
  • The Security Council should not be swayed by cost concerns when determining the necessary resources for the new mission, as "now is not the time to be cutting costs by skimping on troop numbers."

Statistics:

  • 117,000 people displaced due to violent clashes in South Sudan between January and mid-May.
  • 1,400 people killed in South Sudan due to violent clashes between January and mid-May.
  • 7,000 recommended troop levels for the new peacekeeping mission.
  • 40% increase proposed in troop levels from the current 5,000 troops.

Sources:

  • Human Rights Watch
  • International Rescue Committee
  • Open Society Foundations
  • Oxfam
  • Pact
  • Refugees International
  • Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect
  • UN Security Council