JUBA —
The announcement Friday by Hilde Johnson that she will be stepping down as head of the U.N. Mission in South Sudan drew mixed reactions from South Sudanese.
Political commentator Leben Nelson Moro said how people greeted Johnson's resignation depended in part on which side of the fence -- or the walls surrounding U.N. bases in South Sudan -- they are on.
"People in government will probably say she didn't do a good job because they had a very difficult relationship toward the end of her term," he said.
"Since the fighting started in December, there's been serious problems, possibly also to do with the many civilians who fled to U.N. bases to seek security. I think the government would very much like those people to come out (of U.N. bases) so that they can go to their homes. I think that probably created problems between UNMISS and the government," Moro said.
Between 75,000 and 80,000 civilians are sheltering in U.N. bases in South Sudan. For them, Moro said, Johnson will be remembered as someone who "did her best, she tried very hard to ensure those who feel insecure outside, they found some security in U.N. bases, even though the conditions are bad."
Most of the reactions on South Sudan in Focus's Twitter feed praised Johnson for doing the best she could in difficult circumstances.
Political commentator Leben Nelson Moro said how people greeted Johnson's resignation depended in part on which side of the fence -- or the walls surrounding U.N. bases in South Sudan -- they are on.
"People in government will probably say she didn't do a good job because they had a very difficult relationship toward the end of her term," he said.
"Since the fighting started in December, there's been serious problems, possibly also to do with the many civilians who fled to U.N. bases to seek security. I think the government would very much like those people to come out (of U.N. bases) so that they can go to their homes. I think that probably created problems between UNMISS and the government," Moro said.
Between 75,000 and 80,000 civilians are sheltering in U.N. bases in South Sudan. For them, Moro said, Johnson will be remembered as someone who "did her best, she tried very hard to ensure those who feel insecure outside, they found some security in U.N. bases, even though the conditions are bad."
Most of the reactions on South Sudan in Focus's Twitter feed praised Johnson for doing the best she could in difficult circumstances.
@VOASUDANINFOCUS She has maintain the peace it time she goes home. We have humiliate her enough instead of saying thank you Johnson.
— David Piro Lemi (@DPLemi) May 30, 2014
@voasudaninfocus Well, its clear that she did the very best she could. Thanks you Madam #Johnson.
— matai muon (@Manuoy) May 30, 2014
Thank you Hilde Johnson for your time with us. Unfortunate that you're leaving when we have worked to tarnish your image than say thank you.
— Ajo Noel Julious (@AjoNoel) May 30, 2014
But a few comments on Twitter said Johnson's departure was good news for South Sudan.
Hilde Johnson leaving #SouthSudan in July is great news. Opportunity for #UNMISS to form proper relations instead of cosying up to #GOSS.
— South Sudan Analyst (@SouthSudanPatri) May 30, 2014
Another comment, which was posted on South Sudan in Focus' Twitter feed, accused Johnson of cozying up to opposition leader Riek Machar. That comment included profanity and will not be published.