Africa

UN agrees to 7,000-strong peacekeeping force for South Sudan

UN adopts resolution "welcoming the establishment of the Republic of South Sudan ... upon its proclamation as an independent state" and laid out plans to maintain peace in a territory that has endured decades of violence.

James Reinl
James Reinl

July 09, 2011

NEW YORK // The UN Security Council unanimously agreed to authorise a peacekeeping force of 7,000 troops and 900 police for South Sudan yesterday, tasked with promoting security and development in the world's newest country.

The 15-nation body adopted a resolution yesterday "welcoming the establishment of the Republic of South Sudan ... upon its proclamation as an independent state" and laid out plans to maintain peace in a territory that has endured decades of violence.

The UN's deployment has a one-year renewable mandate to protect civilians, patrol trouble-spots, demobilise child soldiers and work with UN agencies to promote development and strengthen the government's ability to govern fairly.

It is mandated to extend state control to all the country's 8.2 million people, advise on an "inclusive constitutional process", help organise elections and promote independent media. Blue helmets will also "consolidate peace and security" and demobilise soldiers.

The troops are expected to mostly come from a pre-existing 10,400-strong UN peacekeeping force that monitors the 2005 north-south peace deal, which operates on both sides of the disputed border. The force's mandate expires today and Khartoum has demanded that its soldiers leave the north.

Washington's UN envoy, Susan Rice, who is in Juba today for independence celebrations, said violence continues in Southern Kordofan, a frontier state in north Sudan, between Khartoum's troops and pro-South fighters.

About 3,000 UN peacekeepers are currently based in Southern Kordofan and the neighbouring Blue Nile state, where fighting persists. Troops there should not "be compelled to leave abruptly or prematurely", said Ms Rice.

South Sudanese officials are expected to request admission as a UN member to secretary general Ban Ki-moon, who was also due in Juba today. This starts an admission process that could see the new state become the world body's 193rd member as early as Thursday.

jreinl@thenational.ae

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Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion

The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.

Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".

The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.

He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.

"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.

As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.