JUBA, May 29 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan on Wednesday urged the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to support development initiatives besides peacekeeping operations as the youngest nation recovers from more than five years of conflict.
Malek Ruben Riak, deputy minister of defense, said the peacekeeping mission should put more focus on supporting development activities such as building health, education facilities and roads besides training and building capacity of government officials.
He said South Sudanese will be able to enjoy peace dividends when the UNMISS supports development in the country.
He disclosed that they are currently engaging other opposition groups outside the peace deal to come on board.
Riak appreciated the Chinese, British, Japanese, Bangladeshi, Rwandans and South Korean peacekeeping contingents for contributing towards infrastructure development in the country.
He said they will continue to work with UNMISS to ensure unhindered access for humanitarian agencies to areas in need.
Moustapha Soumare, deputy head of UNMISS and Special Representative of the Secretary General, said peace operations have evolved over time to include facilitation of political processes, support elections, protect and promote human rights and restore the rule of law.
Soumare paid tribute to the 67 UNMISS staff who have fallen since 2011 including the 12 personnel who lost their lives in the past year.
