South Sudan by Hilde F. Johnson

Author:Hilde F. Johnson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: I.B.Tauris

Protected: The UN opens its gates

On the streets of Juba civilians were now in danger. But almost all UN forces had been deployed elsewhere in the country, and not least to Jonglei, where civilians had until now been under greater threat. Although our planning exercises had included worst-case scenarios for Juba in the event of a crisis, our forces there were few and lightly armed. They were mainly soldiers guarding UN assets and staff, as well as engineering, aviation, logistics and transport units. They had limited capacity and equipment.9 Of infantry soldiers we had only about 120 who could engage in military operations outside the two bases.10 Given the scale of violence raging in Juba, affecting thousands of people, not much could be done to protect them in the streets.11

UNMISS had a mandate to protect civilians under imminent threat. In my view, we had to give protection to those in need. Opening the gates was therefore a last resort. This had also happened before. During the Mission’s table-top exercises on Protection of Civilians in November 2011, we had tested options for action in situations of large-scale threats to civilians. In Wau in December 2012, the thousands of civilians protected within our base returned home after a few days. In Pibor County, Jonglei State, as we have seen, hundreds of civilians had sought refuge a number of times, but not for long. This experience and the agreed procedures were critical, but never before had we been faced with the numbers that would now confront us.

It was my firm decision that leaving civilians to their fate outside the gates, where they were likely to be killed, was out of the question. In a matter of hours, thousands had flocked to us at Tonyping and UN House. When we had identified areas within our base that were suitable, the crowds were guided to the western gate, screened for weapons, and let in. During the morning of 16 December, approximately 8,000 sought refuge at Tonyping, and some 1,000 at UN House where, when firing resumed nearby later in the day, another 4,000 or 5,000 poured in. During the afternoon the total number passed 10,000.

On the 16th there was shooting on and off all day within the Bilpam barracks and in pockets elsewhere, as government forces attempted to clear areas and gain full control. They entered the residential areas of Khor William, Lologo and Jebel Market with tanks, and conducted house-to-house searches, reportedly looking for Nuer men. They also went on the attack throughout the north-eastern part of town, close to the military headquarters.12 It was particularly from this period onwards that much of the violence against civilians took place. It turned ethnic.

At about 4.30 a.m. on the 17th sporadic shooting resumed in the Tonyping and Jebel areas. We were told that the SPLA was conducting widespread searches, sweeping neighbourhoods and targeting Nuer civilians. In Tonyping the firing became more sustained and included mortar shells. During the day the violence spread to other areas, with significant impact on civilians.

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