unmiss

The United Nations Missions in South Sudan says it will confiscate and destroy any weapons found in all the protection of civilians’ sites.

The Acting Spokesperson of the mission says some of the weapons are already in their custody and will be destroyed with any new ones found.

Joseph Contreras also says UNMISS does not allow people in military uniforms to take shelter in its camps unless they surrender their uniforms.

“Any weapons that are surrendered by people coming into our sites and any weapons that are found in our periodic searches, those weapons are then securely stored by UNMISS. And the head of the mission, Ellen Loj yesterday said that there are plans to destroy those weapons.” He said.

Contreras told Eye Radio that all the restrictions are part of a policy set by UNMISS to protect the civilians sheltering at its bases.

“The long standing policy of requiring anyone who seeks protection inside our facilities to surrender any weapons and also take off any military uniforms they may be wearing before they will be granted entry.” The Acting UNMISS Spokesperson said.

Contreras said no date has been set for the destruction of the weapons.

UNMISS protection of civilians’ sites host thousands of Internally Displaced Persons in Juba, Bor, Bentiu and Malakal.