UNSG Special Representative walks at a parade to mark the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. (Photo: UNMISS).

The United Nations Security Council is expected to renew the mandate of its peacekeeping mission in South Sudan for another year this week.

In a press release, UNSC said prior to the extension, the Council will first hold a briefing, followed by consultations on the Secretary-General’s 90-day UNMISS report, released on 22 February.

Currently, the main mandate of UNMISS is the protection of civilians threatened by violence, creating favorable conditions for delivering humanitarian aid, and supporting the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.

It is also mandated to monitor, investigate and report violations of international humanitarian law, as well as abuses of human rights.

The UNMISS mandate expires on Monday, March 13th 2023.

Last year, its mandate was renewed after 13 of the 15 Security Council members voted in its favor with China and Russia abstaining.

China and Russia said they abstained due to the inclusion of language related to ‘human rights and climate change.’

Addressing the council last year, the US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas Greenfield said she believed the UNMISS mandate extension would help create a path toward long-term stability and security in the country.