South Sudan accuses UN of spearheading regime change strategy
August 10, 2016 (JUBA) – South Sudanese government under the leadership of President Salva Kiir has accused the United Nations of working for regime change in Juba to overthrow the current government.
The government reacted angrily to a draft proposal seeking approval of the deployment of 4,000 troops with all military capabilities to provide security and protection in Juba and help in the implementation of the peace agreement in the country.
“The UN Secretary General [Ban Ki Moon] has constantly advanced negative views against the Government of the Republic of South Sudan and its leadership, including his recent intrusion in the 27th African Union Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, with the obvious intention of influencing the AU’s decisions in favour of his ‘regime change strategy,” an 8 August response to the UN draft obtained by Sudan Tribune reads in part.
The response signed by the minister of cabinet affairs, Martin Elia Lomuro, and prepared by a committee appointed by President Kiir, demands that “reports on the situation in the Republic of South Sudan be generated and verified by a neutral authority.”
The draft proposal, according to the response, makes the general observation that the draft proposed by the United States on the revised renewal of the mandate of the United Nations in the country is allegedly “intended to undercut the provisions contained in the IGAD Plus Heads of State and Government communiqué of the 5th August 2016, and undermine IGAD as a Regional Authority.”
“United States of America, Draft UNMISS Mandate Renewal ‘seriously undermines the Sovereignty of the Republic of South Sudan as a UN Member State’ and that Transitional Government of National Unity strongly objects to these propositions,” the response added.
The team comprises minister of defence, Kuol Manyang Juuk, minister of national security, Isaac Mabuto Mamur Mate, minister in the office of the president, Mayiik Ayii Deng and minister of petroleum, Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth.
Other members include Ambassador John Andruga, information and broadcasting minister, Michael Makuei Lueth and the minister of cabinet affairs, Martin Elia Lomuro.
UN is expected to deliberate on the draft and pass it on Friday in order to deploy the troops to Juba.
(ST)