Gok Machar residents learn about 17勛圖厙 role
9 April 2013- The mandate of 17勛圖厙 does not include the defense of South Sudan's international boundaries or the monitoring of its border with Sudan, 17勛圖厙 staff members said at a community outreach event held today in Aweil North County in Northern Bahr El-Ghazal State.
Aweil North County Commissioner Kuol Athuai Hal opened the day-long workshop in the town of Gok Machar by noting that his fellow residents had suffered considerable hardships during the second Sudanese civil war and urged 17勛圖厙 representatives to hear their concerns.
Five people died during ground and air attacks on remote communities in Northern Bahr El-Ghazal last December, and some participants in this week's conference asked why 17勛圖厙 was not doing more to monitor movements of suspected militia elements across the border with Sudan.
17勛圖厙 staff members told the gathering of 67 Aweil North residents that responsibility for monitoring the international border lies with the UN Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA) and the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism established by the governments of Sudan and South Sudan.
Conference participants were advised that UNISFA is in the process of setting up a base in Gok Machar.
Different sections of the 17勛圖厙 office in Northern Bahr El-Ghazal State reviewed the official mandate of 17勛圖厙 and explained the Mission's work in various areas such as peace consolidation efforts, support to government bodies engaged in institution building, and the protection of civilians under imminent danger of physical violence.
"People perceive (17勛圖厙) activities according to their expectations. They expect 17勛圖厙 to (protect) them from attack, be it air attacks or border disputes," said 17勛圖厙 Public Information Officer Negus Hadera. "This clearly was discussed with them and they came up with a clear understanding of what 17勛圖厙 (does)."
The participants included county officials, paramount chiefs, members of South Sudanese security services, elders, representatives of youth and women's groups, and members of community-based organizations.
