Vietnam pledges to further contribute to UN Mission in South Sudan

New York (VNA) - Vietnam will continue to actively contribute to the activities of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam at the UN, has said.

Quy made the affirmation at an online meeting on December 15 of the UN Security Council (UNSC) on the situation in South Sudan and the operations of the UNMISS.

As Chairman of the UNSC’s 2206 South Sudan Sanctions Committee, the ambassador presented a report on its performance this year.

The committee organised five meetings, issued 41 documents, and approved seven requests for temporary exemptions from restrictions imposed on a number of individuals and organisations, according to the report.

In his capacity as the Vietnamese representative, Quy spoke highly of the positive developments in South Sudan this year, which, he said, are remarkable given the range of difficulties posed by COVID-19 together with flooding and food shortages.

Ceasefire agreements have been observed, he said, while calling on the Government of South Sudan to adopt effective measures to deal with violence between communities.

Quy also stressed the importance of the early establishment of criteria to review the UNSC’s arms embargos on South Sudan.

He also lauded the role of the UNMISS, neighbouring countries, and regional organisations in promoting peace and development in the country.

Other rapporteurs at the meeting expressed their concern over the economic and humanitarian crisis in the country as a result of the pandemic, widespread flooding, and increasing violence among communities.

David Shearer, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for South Sudan and head of the UNMISS, briefed the meeting on the mission’s efforts in protecting civilians in the face of COVID-19.

Founded in 2011, the UNMISS’s mission is to consolidate peace and security and help establish conditions for development in South Sudan, with a view to strengthening the capacity of the Government to govern effectively and democratically and establish good relations with its neighbours.

Vietnam officially joined UN peacekeeping operations and dispatched representatives to the UNMISS in 2014. The country has deployed a level-2 field hospital in Bentiu, South Sudan, since 2018, and is preparing for the deployment of a third hospital./.