Date: Sun, 6 Apr 2014 00:53:37 +0200
South Sudan: UN Boss Denies Links With Rebels
4 April 2014
Juba - The head of the United Nations mission in South Sudan on Thursday
broke her <http://allafrica.com/stories/201404040826.html>
silencesilencehttp://cdncache1-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png,
dismissing allegations that the world body supported the country's rebels.
Hilde Johnson's tenure at the helm of the UN recently attracted controversy
with series of demonstrations held in protest against her position.
"UNMISS strongly and categorically rejects any allegations related to
support or transport of Dr. Riek Machar, which also would contravene the
commitment of UN to act in full transparency in relation to the host
government with regard to all operations," Johnson told reporters in the
capital, Juba.
The mission, she said, had been accused of 12 serious offences, including
supporting, hosting and allegedly arming rebels loyal to rebel leader
Machar.
"The accusations that mission harbor the rebels lack basis," Johnson
stressed.
The UN, she said, bases its activities on international humanitarian law as
well as it mandate with obligation to protect any civilian seeking refuge on
its premises, including elements of from both sides of a conflict, without
weapons and uniforms, but not to take part in hostilities.
DETERIORATING RELATIONS
Meanwhile, the senior official did acknowledge that relations between her
institution and the government of South Sudan had deteriorated after the
latter confiscated weapons in Lakes State en route to Bentiu, saying it was
an "error" with no particular intention of aiding rebels.
She clarified that no landmines and anti-aircrafts were part of the cargo as
claimed.
"The High Level Investigation Committee from New York just confirmed through
the serials numbers and appropriate documentation that the weapons in three
containers in UNMISS' convoy belonged to the Ghanaian battalion en route to
Bentiu," said the UN mission chief.
"The committee found no evidence of any deliberate attempt by UNMISSS staff,
the contractors or Ghanaian battalion to secretly transport arms and
ammunitions to any third <http://allafrica.com/stories/201404040826.html>
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including rebel groups in South Sudan," she added.
Johnson said its relations with government were improving and that the cargo
and weapons previously detained had been released and were en route to their
destination.
"It is important that good working relation between UNMISS and government of
South Sudan now continues," she stressed.
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