The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Anita Kiki Gbeho, has pledged to strengthen cooperation with Western Equatoria State’s caretaker government to promote peace, protect civilians and improve humanitarian access in conflict-affected areas.
She made the assurance on Tuesday in Yambio after meeting Caretaker Governor Badagbu Daniel Rimbasa and state officials during her maiden trip to the state since being appointed SRSG.
“I came to consult with the governor and the authorities to understand the priorities for the state and also to talk with my colleagues who are here on the ground. The governor has been clear. His priority is peace; it is to build peace in Western Equatoria and to ensure that Western Equatoria is an example in South Sudan,” she said. “We talked about several areas that he would want to see us work together. The first is protection of civilians: we talked about a protection of civilians plan for some of the hotspot areas and then how we can look at implementing it.”
“He [governor] mentioned he has declared an amnesty, so how he can be supported to redouble efforts to dialogue with those who are still bearing arms. We also talked about access. Following the governor’s conference, there has been an improvement in access,” SRSG Gbeho added.
She welcomed the state government’s commitment to working with the United Nations to ensure humanitarian organisations could reach vulnerable communities, particularly those facing the greatest difficulties.
She was accompanied by a high-level UN delegation, including a deputy force commander, the mission’s Director for Protection and Civil Affairs, and a Protection Adviser.
Gbeho said the delegation’s presence reflected the mission’s commitment to supporting the state government’s peace and stability efforts.
Governor Rimbasa reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to working with UNMISS to strengthen civilian protection, improve humanitarian access and address security challenges. He thanked the delegation for visiting the state, saying the government was ready to work with the mission.
“We are committed to the protection of civilians. We want to thank the United Nations very much, on behalf of the government and people of Western Equatoria State, for taking the time to visit our state. We will work together on the issues we have discussed, and we will keep in touch,” he said.
The governor commended UNMISS for its civilian protection efforts in Tambura and other parts of the state, saying the mission’s presence had supported communities affected by insecurity.
He pledged government support for UNMISS movements and patrols, adding that cooperation was necessary to address insecurity and improve the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
The governor further praised the mission’s quick-impact projects and capacity-building programmes involving young people, women, civil society organisations and traditional leaders.
Meanwhile, Western Equatoria State Minister of Agriculture Gibson Bullen Wande called on UNMISS to consider supporting road maintenance, saying damaged roads and potholes could restrict movement and worsen security challenges.
“Poor road conditions make it difficult for communities and security personnel to reach certain areas, potentially complicating efforts to address insecurity,” he stated.
The visit comes as the caretaker government seeks to strengthen cooperation with international partners on civilian protection, reconciliation, humanitarian access, and stability across the state.
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