国际英语新闻:UN Security Council Votes to Bolster South Sudan

The United Nations Security Council on Friday unanimously approved a new peacekeeping force for South Sudan, which marks its independence on Saturday.

During a brief meeting, representatives of all 15 members of the Security Council raised their hands in favor of a resolution establishing the new peacekeeping force for the world’s newest nation, South Sudan. Council president Peter Wittig of Germany announced the results.

“The result of the voting is as follows: the draft resolution received 15 votes in favor. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as Resolution 1996,” he said.

The new peacekeeping force, called the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan or UNMISS, will have up to 7,000 troops and up to 900 civilian police. Its mandate is to consolidate peace and security and to help establish the conditions for development in the Republic of South Sudan. The council approved the peacekeeping force for one year, but called for reviews in three months and six months to see if the troop level can be reduced from 7,000 to 6,000.

The Security Council resolution calls on the peacekeepers to monitor, investigate, verify and report regularly on human rights and potential threats against the civilian population. It also urges the peacekeepers to support the South Sudan government by deterring violence.

Security Council president Wittig called the approval of the peacekeeping force a strong signal of support for the new South Sudan.