(pinterest)
South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has bid farewell to more than 700 peacekeepers to be deployed in the neighbouring Congo.
Kiir on Wednesday told the troops to stick to the mission, maintain discipline and stay away from criminal activities, Xinhua news agency reported.
“I want you to maintain discipline. There are forces that go for peacekeeping mission in another country and cause problems; they rape women and girls. Don’t do it. Don’t take anything from shops or civilians, and that is not what you have gone for; instead, protect the lives of the civilians from danger,” the President told the regional force in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.
South Sudan is sending a battalion of more than 700 strong forces allocated by the East African Community Regional Force to Congo to fight the M23 insurgency in the eastern part of Congo.
Kiir told the peacekeeping force to maintain order to bring about a good image of the country through the mission.
“I have handed over the flag of South Sudan to your commander, this flag should be raised high, and it should not be lowered. I want to tell you that you are one army for this mission; you are going as South Sudan Army,” he added.
Angelina Teny, Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs, said the country is proud to be part of the regional peacekeeping force to contribute to peace and stability in the region and global peace, stressing that it is an opportunity to portray a good image of South Sudan.
Teny revealed that the force will be sent to Congo immediately and will be stationed in Goma, adding that South Sudan is the only country yet to send the peacekeeping force to Congo.
Since late March, M23 has been on the offensive in Congo’s northeastern province of North Kivu, with thousands of civilians displaced by ongoing fighting.
Kenyan former President Uhuru Kenyatta in June called for the immediate deployment of a new regional military force to try to stop rebel violence in eastern Congo, where dozens of armed groups have been active for more than two decades.
Newer articles:
- Kenya, South Sudan hold talks over rising border insecurity - 03/01/2023 06:18
- Meet Chol Ajongo, a South Sudanese diplomat and former refugee - 03/01/2023 04:16
- Rapes, killings, and armed robberies continue in Darfur - 03/01/2023 01:10
- Two-Day Conference Between Sudanese and South Sudanese on Cattle Migration Concludes in Renk - 03/01/2023 00:21
- Full list: Nigeria, other African countries 2023 elections - 03/01/2023 00:05
Older news items
- Pope Francis Entrusts the Late Benedict XVI to the Blessed Virgin Mary - 02/01/2023 03:12
- El Burhan calls for inclusivity in Sudan’s political negotiations - 02/01/2023 00:36
- Africa needs reliable and resilient healthcare system: How India can deliver it - 02/01/2023 00:08
- UN decries threats of armed attacks in South Sudanese state - 22/12/2022 08:25
- Kiir signs four new Bills into law - 22/12/2022 06:49
Latest news items (all categories):
- Beyond The Tribal & Regional Lines: A Call for South Sudan's National Unity - 04/10/2025 21:17
- Frontmen for Businesses Linked to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces Identified in the UAE - 04/10/2025 21:08
- South Sudan opposition leader Machar claims immunity in treason trial - 04/10/2025 14:39
- Death of a rainmaker: When drought means murder in South Sudan - 04/10/2025 14:33
- Great Hunger: South Sudan is at Tipping Point - 04/10/2025 14:27
Random articles (all categories):
- Displaced youth in Wau receive sports equipment from Bangladeshi peacekeepers - 01/10/2021 12:00
- New school a small step in healing ethnic divide in South Sudan - 13/08/2019 23:49
- With much else to worry about, South Sudan keen to tackle climate change - 09/12/2015 09:57
- The cogs of the Oyee machine desert president Kiir - 28/05/2012 16:00
- Letter of Appreciation to Hon. Nhial Deng Nhial, the minister for Presidential affairs - 10/07/2020 13:28
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 130646 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 24413 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 23459 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 23150 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 20394 times