The United Nations Mission in South Sudan says it has supported the police in clearing an illegal trade zone adjacent its camp in Juba.

It says the area posed a clear security threat to IDPs and increased criminal activity outside the POC sites and nearby vicinity

UNMISS says the operation was carried out by local authorities in response to concerns raised by community leaders in the POC and surrounding communities.

“These community leaders subsequently issued a formal request that local authorities have the section cleared,” it said in a statement.

The main POC gates were closed during the exercise to prevent any interference during the operation, and to protect those in the POC site.

In a statement, UNMISS says the removal and relocation of shops was a Government-led operation carried out by the Governor, the South Sudan National Police Service and the SPLA.

UNMISS and the United Nations Mine Action Service provided logistical and security support to the adjacent POC sites.