UN extends South Sudan peacekeeping mission

By Samoa Observer 30 July 2016, 12:00AM

The United Nations has extended the peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, delaying decisions on giving the force a more robust mandate in the face of rising violence in the world's youngest nation.

The Security Council voted unanimously Friday to extend the mission until Aug. 12 to give diplomats more time to consider other options such as the inclusion of regional force to beef-up the U.N. mission and a possible arms embargo.

U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power justified the short extension saying that "we have to get this right," while stressing the urgency of action in face of growing unrest.

The peacekeeping force currently has about 12,000 armed troops mandated to use lethal force to protect civilians but Power said recent events show they are "unwilling or unable" to fulfill their mandate.

-AP

By Samoa Observer 30 July 2016, 12:00AM
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