On S. Sudan, UN Admits Never Replied on Cluster Bombs or Ghana Arms
By Matthew Russell Lee
Watch Videos on the site below:
http://www.innercitypress.com/ssudan3clusterarmsBanned050714.html
UNITED NATIONS, May 8, 2014 -- After UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon flew
after South Sudan following his one day trip, neither his Office of the
Spokesperson nor his Under Secretary General for Peacekeeping
<
http://youtu.be/rm1V-cY9u40> Herve Ladsous
<
http://www.newstatesman.com/international-politics/2013/10/meet-matthew-lee
-scourge-united-nations> have released or even answered about completed UN
investigations into UN Peacekeeping moving weapons by land to Bentiu,
ostensibly for Ghanaian troops only 44 of whom arrived there, and into
cluster bombs.
On May 6, Ban's Associate Spokesperson Vannina Maestracci claimed to Inner
City Press that an answer or "line" had been sent to it about the Ghanaian
(or "Guinean") weapons. Inner City Press disagreed and the Associate
Spokesperson said she would "check the transcript."
On May 7, the Associate Spokesperson answered Inner City Press' question
on another topic by saying oops, no answer had been sent. Video here.
<
http://youtu.be/e19azgforIY>
Inner City Press asked, what about the cluster bombs report? You've just
gotten three answers, the Associate Spokesperson said. Apparently there is
now a UN quota for providing responses, even if they are late.
At the May 6 UN noon briefing, Inner City Press asked, video here:
<
http://youtu.be/ipH4-MFRmlY>
Inner City Press: White the Secretary-General is in South Sudan, there were
two things that the UN said that they would investigate and at least it
seemed that they would make the reports public. One was the Ghanaian weapons
that were found in a box being taken by land to Bentiu. There other was the
cluster bombs that came even before that so I think on 30 April, I asked
Stéphane, have those reports being made public and he said I’ll check.
Associate Spokesperson Vannina Maestracci : Right, and I believe we answered
you. Yes we did, we sent you a line.
Inner City Press: What’s the line?
Associate Spokesperson: On the Ghanaian…
Inner City Press: That there were 44…
Associate Spokesperson: Yes, we sent you a line, that’s our answer for now.
If I have anything else at some point, Matthew, I will definitely…
Inner City Press: I’m only asking because I didn’t get a line. I got a line
that there were 44 peacekeepers there.
Associate Spokesperson: I’m pretty sure we answered you on that. I mean, I
can go through the transcripts and figure it out, but I’ll see, okay?
By 7 pm, no answer.
Back on April 30
<
http://www.un.org/News/briefings/docs/2014/db140430.doc.htm> , Inner City
Press asked:
Inner City Press: I wanted to ask you about the Secretary-General’s
statement yesterday on South Sudan where he said he urged President Kiir to
intervene personally to stop a negative campaign against UNMISS (United
Nations Mission in South Sudan) and to issue a public statement to this end.
What does he mean by intervene personally beyond issuing a public statement?
And number two, the issues that have arisen about UNMISS, for example, the
truck of weapons that were going to the Ghanaian peacekeepers, has that
report ever been issued publicly? Has the cluster bomb report? I'm thinking
of things within the UN’s power to do --
Spokesman Stephane Dujarric: I think the information on the weapons box was
shared with the Government of South Sudan. I think you know, like in any
mission, there are… it is normal that sometimes there are points of tension
between the host country and the mission, but I think here in South Sudan we
have seen issues of having to do with our ability to move around that is
being hampered. Attacks on our compounds where we feel the Government has a
responsibility to protect those compounds, so I think there are improvements
to be made in the relationship between the Government and the Mission.
Inner City Press: the reason why I’m asking about the weapons, I still get
e-mails from over there from people saying they haven’t seen the UN report.
So, I wonder what is the UN’s own duty to go to the public and say this is
what happened here, understand what we did. It seems to me that that report
has never been issued publicly. Maybe you gave it to the Government, but if
people don’t know--
Spokesman Dujarric: I think we spoke about its conclusions from here but I
will double check.
Six days later, no follow up from Dujarric or his deputy Farhan Haq or
now his associate spokesperson. Even if something had been said "here" -- in
New York -- that is not releasing the report, and that is not in South
Sudan. So will Ban release these now that he is there?
As if in a parallel universe, the UN Security Council met about the
country on May 2.
There were calls for accountability: US Ambassador Samantha Power, for
example, said that before the deadly attack on civilians in the UN compound
in Bor, senior government officials made statements leading to the attack.
But the UN's Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide Adama Dieng
said that "both President Kiir and Riek Machar assured us that they are
investigating any serious violations by their respective forces and that
those found responsible will be held accountable."
Inner City Press asked Dieng after the meeting, couldn't Kiir easily know
who his senior government officials were, making statements before the Bor
attack?
Dieng said one must await the investigation. So Inner City Press asked
about the reported killing of 200 Nuer in Juba, already cited in a UN
report. Any accountability? Dieng cited yet another report coming out next
week.
(Dieng also gave this reporter a lengthy answer on Burundi, the April 3
cable about the ruling party arming its youth wing and more, the May 6 video
<
http://youtu.be/ipH4-MFRmlY> also has the UN saying it could confirm or
deny receiving letters from opposition parties and NGO, which the UN did not
do, 7 hour later.)
Earlier on May 2 Kerry spoke by phone with former vice president Riek
Machar. A senior US State Department official on background summarized:
"Secretary Kerry urged Riek Machar to abide by the Cessation of Hostilities
Agreement both parties signed in January and to take steps to bring an end
to the violence.
"He provided an update on his meeting with the Foreign Ministers from
Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda, with Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam, as
well as his trip to Juba and meetings with President Kiir. He also expressed
strong concern about the humanitarian situation on the ground and the need
for improved access for humanitarian workers in the face of the very real
risk of famine to the people of South Sudan.
"Secretary Kerry urged Riek Machar to participate in a meeting as early as
next week with IGAD negotiators to discuss bringing an end to violence, and
engaging in meaningful political dialogue, and made clear that he had made
the same request of President Kiir, who indicated his willingness to
attend."
Earlier on May 2, Inner City Press asked UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric
if the UN will play any role. Apparently not. Some say UN enovy Hilde
Johnson is not viewed as impartial and is on her way out by this summer.
We'll have more on this.
Earlier on May 2 spokesperson Jen Psaki told the press that while in
Juba, Kerry
"will reiterate the need for all parties to respect the Cessation of
Hostilities Agreement, to immediately cease attacks on civilians, and to
fully cooperate with the United Nations and humanitarian organizations to
protect civilians and to provide life-saving assistance to the people of
South Sudan. He will also meet civil society leaders, IDP representatives,
and UNMISS officials."
Will Kerry meet not only with Salva Kiir but also with Riek Machar, as
outgoing UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay did?
On May 1 in Addis, Kerry flanked by his counterparts from Kenya, Uganda
and Ethiopia referred to a "legitimate force... to help make peace." Some
wondered how far outside the UN would this be? If the UN used a Force
Intervention Brigade in Eastern Congo, is that model being considered? At
the UN on May 1 an ambassador from one of those countries told Inner City
Press this is "just the IGAD force." The Security Council meets later on May
2. Kerry said on May 1:
"it’s clear that everybody is in agreement the killing must stop; that
humanitarian access needs to be delivered; most importantly, a legitimate
force that has an ability to help make peace needs to get on the ground as
rapidly as possible. And we agreed on both the terms and timing and manner
and size, and we need to go to work to make sure that happens."
After on April 26 Kerry spoke with Salva Kiir. State Department
spokesperson Jen Psaki gave this read-out:
Secretary Kerry spoke today with South Sudanese President Salva Kiir to
express grave concern about the ongoing conflict in South Sudan, including
recent violence in Bentiu and Bor and the deliberate targeting of civilians
by armed groups on both sides of the conflict. Secretary Kerry welcomed the
Government of South Sudan’s decision to release the four senior political
officials who had been in detention since December. He urged President Kiir
to stop military offensives and to adhere to the Cessation of Hostilities
agreement, and noted U.S. demands that anti-government forces do the same.
Both Secretary Kerry and President Kiir expressed their support for the
IGAD-led peace process. Secretary Kerry noted the important role played by
the UN Mission in South Sudan, denounced recent attacks on UNMISS bases and
personnel, and encouraged President Kiir to ensure full and unfettered
access throughout South Sudan for UNMISS, the African Union Commission of
Inquiry, and the IGAD Monitoring and Verification Mechanism.
On April 24, Kerry aid he w
<
https://twitter.com/innercitypress/status/459405170926182400> ould travel
to the country, as stateed at an event with Norway's foreign minister
<
http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2014/04/225159.htm> :
FOREIGN MINISTER BRENDE: Also, our work in South Sudan is now in the top of
our agenda and the troika work there. The UN Security Council will hopefully
make clear statements on this, because it’s unacceptable what we’re seeing
of the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding. So thank you.
SECRETARY KERRY: Well said. I forgot – I’ll be there next week, as a matter
of fact.
FOREIGN MINISTER BRENDE: Me too. (Laughter.)
SECRETARY KERRY: So we’ll talk about it. (Laughter.) See?
Kerry's statement came after US President Barack Obama threatened
sanctions against not only former vice president and now opposition leader
Riek Machar's forces but also those of president Salva Kiir.
The question arose: would Kerry meet not only Kiir but also Machar while
in Juba? US State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki on April 24 said there
could be more details about Kerry's Africa trip in the next 24 to 48 hours
<
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2014/04/225150.htm> . After Kerry's
statement beside Norway's Foreign Minister Borge Brende, that timetable
became 24 hours.
Inner City Press suggested that Kerry might also want to visit Burundi,
where a leaked April 3 cable about the government arming a youth wing,
published by Inner City Press on April 10, now appears in the process of
being hushed-up in the UN, click here for that.
<
http://www.innercitypress.com/burundi7uncableicp042414.html>
But on April 25, the State Department put out an itinerary listing only
Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola
<
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/04/225186.htm> . What does this mean?
Secretary Kerry Travels to Addis Ababa, Kinshasa and Luanda
Secretary of State John Kerry will visit Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Kinshasa,
Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Luanda, Angola, on April 29-May 5 to
encourage democratic development, promote respect for human rights, advance
peace and security, engage with civil society and young African leaders who
will shape the continent’s future, and promote trade, investment and
development partnerships in Africa.
The Secretary’s trip will also highlight U.S. investments in the President’s
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
In Addis Ababa, Secretary Kerry will co-convene the Fourth Session of the
U.S.-AU High-Level Dialogue and discuss a range of issues on which we
partner with the African Union (AU). Secretary Kerry will meet with Prime
Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and Foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom to discuss
efforts to advance peace and democracy in the region, and strengthen
important areas of bilateral cooperation with Ethiopia.
In Kinshasa, Secretary Kerry will meet with President Joseph Kabila and will
discuss how the DRC government’s progress in neutralizing some of the dozens
of dangerous armed groups that victimize the Congolese people can be
consolidated and how to best advance the DRC’s democratization and long-term
stability, including through a timely and transparent electoral process.
In Luanda, Secretary Kerry will commend President José Eduardo dos Santos
for Angola’s leadership of the International Conference on the Great Lakes
Region (ICGLR) and encourage the President’s continued personal engagement
in the Great Lakes peace process. The Secretary will also discuss bilateral
policy and trade issues with Foreign Minister Chikoti.
Secretary Kerry will also be accompanied by Assistant Secretary for African
Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Special Envoy for the Great Lakes and the
Democratic Republic of the Congo Russell Feingold, Special Envoy to Sudan
and South Sudan Donald Booth, and Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's
Issue Catherine Russell.
Donald Booth going on the trip might indicate an unscheduled stop in Juba
-- or just, talks in Addis.
At the April 25 State Department briefing, spokesperson Jen Psaki said,
"trips are always subject to change, as you all know who have traveled with
us. But I don’t have any other stops to announce today."
As to South Sudan, in the wake of the April 15-16 mass killing in Bentiu,
UN official Mary Cummins said
<
http://unmiss.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=3465&ctl=Details&mid=6047&I
temID=3628700&language=en-US> "we need the Ghanaian contingent to come
soon."
This was troubling and strange, since it was ostensibly to ship weapons to
the Ghanaians that the UN moved trucks of weapons by road to Bentiu. Weapons
without soldiers?
So Inner City Press asked at the April 22 UN noon briefing and was
promised an answer that never arrived. At the UN Security Council stakeout
on April 23, Inner City Press put the question to UN Peacekeeping chief
Herve Ladsous who refuses Press questions. Even at the April 24 noon
briefing, when Inner City Press asked for a third time, there was no answer.
Now this belated response:
Subject: Your question on South Sudan.
From: UN Spokesperson - Do Not Reply [at] un.org
Date: Thu, Apr 24, 2014 at 4:51 PM
To: Matthew Russell Lee [at] innercitypress.com
The Department of Peacekeeping Operations says that, as of now, 44 members
of the Ghanaian Battalion are in Bentiu.
But that doesn't answer about the Ghanaian Battalion's (non) presence
during the April 15-16 killings. And shipping containers of weapons for a
mere 44 members? Compare this to the 350 troops from Ghana's continent in
Cote d'Ivoire <
http://www.innercitypress.com/cote1ssudan012714.html> that
the UN told Inner City Press about in January, here
<
http://www.innercitypress.com/cote1ssudan012714.html> . We hope to have
more on this.
The UN Security Council belatedly met about Bentiu on April 24.
Afterward UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations chief Herve Ladsous came
out and took three questions, curtly.
The UN itself says that the Ghanaian battalion
<
http://unmiss.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=3465&ctl=Details&mid=6047&I
temID=3628700&language=en-US> -- the shipment of whose weapons by land to
Bentiu triggered an objection by South Sudan's government and a report by
Ladsous' DPKO that has yet to be publicly released -- was not in Bentiu
<
http://unmiss.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=3465&ctl=Details&mid=6047&I
temID=3628700&language=en-US> to even try to stop the April 15-16 killings.
Inner City Press put this question to Ladsous both on and off UNTV's
camera, but he refused to answer it. Video here
<
http://youtu.be/AMWNKAx2xJ4> and embedded below. Criticisms of his DPKO
are spreading, but Ladsous refuses to answer them.
Back on April 22
<
http://www.un.org/News/briefings/docs/2014/db140422.doc.htm> Inner City
Press asked Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's spokesman Stephane Dujarric
about the Ghanaian contingent:
Inner City Press: on South Sudan, I saw that Mary Cummins, who is the acting
Coordinator for Unity State, really sounded the alarm that they need more
forces there. And she said, “we need the Ghanaian battalion to arrive soon”.
I thought that was the battalion whose weapons that were found in the
boxes--
Spokesman Dujarric: Let me find out.
But more than 24 hours later Dujarric, or ultimately Ladsous' DPKO, had
not provided any answer. So Inner City Press put the question to Ladsous at
the stakeout. Ladsous refused to answer it, pointedly calling first on
Reuters <
http://www.chillingeffects.org/notice.cgi?sID=1117933> , then Voice
of America <
http://www.innercitypress.com/voa4bbgbank010814.html> , then on
state-owned France 24.
Then Ladsous lumbered from the stakeout microphone and up the stairs, with
a retinue of DPKO staff, many of whom worked under Alain Le Roy and even
Jean-Marie Guehenno but now enable this decay within UN Peacekeeping.
From inside the closed consultation, the French mission's spokesperson
tweeted that a film was being screened of Bentiu. This was confirmed to
Inner City Press by an actual ambassador in the meeting; at the stakeout
afterward Inner City Press asked Security Council president Joy Ogwu of
Nigeria if the film was only about Bentiu and not Bor and she said Yes, only
about Bentiu.
The April 15-16 killings in Bentiu have been attributed to the Sudan
People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) in Opposition led by former vice
president Riek Machar, who has denied that his forces killed civilians.
Likewise, the April 18 murders inside the UN peacekeeping camp in Bor have
been attributed to supporters from the Dinka tribe of president Salva Kiir,
and statements by his information minister bear this out.
The UN has alleged that in Bentiu the victims were targeted based not only
on tribe but nationality. One response was that Darfur rebels from the
Justice and Equality Movement who were fighting along with Kiir's government
forces were killed, but not civilians.
In this environment, for UN Peacekeeping to be run by an official who
can't even answer basic questions is a major problem. Watch this site.
Received on Thu May 08 2014 - 17:56:58 EDT