Juba orders deployment of more security forces to Jonglei
April 10, 2013 (JUBA) – South Sudan ordered the deployment of additional security forces on Wednesday to the troubled Jonglei state a day after an unidentified armed group killed five United Nations peacekeepers and seven civilians in an ambush.
The South Sudanese army (SPLA) has denied any responsibility, saying its troops respect the role of UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), which was granted a chapter seven mandate by the UN Security Council in 2011 shortly after the country’s secession from Sudan.
The SPLA has blamed armed elements loyal David Yauyau, who has led a rebellion in Pibor County of Jonglei – despite a short break – since 2010.
Yauyau has denied the charge and accused the government of trying to falsely tarnish the image of his forces, claiming the area in which the incident took place was not under the control of his men.
South Sudan’s information minister, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, said his government condemned the attack on the UN convoy in strongest term possible and will do everything possible within its power to restore peace and order in the area.
Minister Marial was speaking to journalists shortly after returning from Kenyan, where he where he attended inauguration ceremony of the new president, Uhuru Kenyatta, as part of the South Sudanese delegation led by President Salva Kiir Mayardit.
“The attack on the UN peacekeeping forces is not only a criminal act but indeed a terrorist behaviour, which the government together with our partners must take serious measures to prevent similar incident from occurring in the future. Such criminal acts bring bad impression to the new born nation and we will not allow. We are a full government, we will do anything within our capacity and power to restore law and order,” Marial told reporters on Wednesday.
The senior official said government will deploy more troops from the national army and police service to the area in order to contribute to restoration of peace and law order to suspected hotspot zones in Jonglei. He did not give out the figures expected to be deployed but said the deployment is urgent.
“More SPLA forces and police services will be deployed urgently. It is a responsibility of the government to provide and maintain security”, said Marial.
Meanwhile the office of the President said it deeply regrets the loss of life in the incident, which occurred in the Gumruk area of Pibor county.
“The government strongly condemns this cowardly act by rebels loyal to David Yau Yau”, reads the statement seen by Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.
The attack took place at approximately 9am on the road between Bor and Gumuruk, .
The convoy of mostly peacekeepers from India, was twelve kilometers outside of Gumuruk town when the attack occurred. Among the dead were five Indian peacekeepers, two South Sudanese UN National Staff, and five contractor from Kenya and Uganda.
It is not clear how many rebels were killed during the ambush.
The statement added that the SPLA and police in the area are searching for the perpetrators and will ensure that they are brought to justice.
“The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is a trusted development partner, providing essential services to the people of South Sudan. We are grateful to the countries that provide peacekeeping troops to the Mission and remain committed to do our part to ensure their safety in South Sudan. We extend our condolences to the Government of India, UNMISS, and the families of the deceased”, the release said.
(ST)