The Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Hilde Johnson, has welcomed the accord between the South Sudanese government tand the SSDM/A ‘Cobra Faction’ led by David Yau Yau.

In a statement Friday after a meeting between Johnson and Yau Yau the previous day, UNMISS commended David Yau Yau “for his role in facilitating a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Greater Pibor County, Jonglei State.” 

Johnson reportedly said that peackeepers will support implementation of the agreement which “will lay the foundation of a durable peace for all the people and communities of Pibor and surrounding counties.”

UNMISS reported Yau Yau “underlined the urgency of implementing the agreement and providing the people of Greater Pibor with peace dividends to help build trust and stability among the affected communities.” 

Yau Yau waged an insurgency based in Pibor County from mid-2012 through 2013. In spite of war in other parts of Jonglei since December, the Murle rebel leader signed a deal 30 January committing to a ceasefire and declaring areas under his control a ‘zone of peace.’

That ceasefire was followed by a political accord that makes legal changes to the way the eastern Jonglei region will be governored. 

Photo: SRSG Hilde Johnson and SSDM/A leader David Yau Yau