S. Sudanese security seize UN weapons in Lakes state

March 6, 2014 (RUMBEK) – Security officials in South Sudan’s Lakes state claimed they intercepted 11 United Nations trucks ferrying an assortment of firearms and military uniforms destined for neighbouring Unity state.

Authorities, claiming the items were being transported allegedly to aid rebels fighting in Unity state, have now instituted an investigation into the matter.

“There were all type of weapons, ammunition and blankets. Those items were on route to Unity state and rebel the controlled areas,” a senior military official told Sudan Tribune, without further details.

UN ORDERS PROBE

The world body, in a statement, said the seized cargo were meant for its Ghanaian peacekeepers recently deployed as additional forces in the country following the mid-December outbreak of violence.

“In connection with the transport of cargo of general goods belonging to the Ghanaian battalion on its way to Bentiu, several containers were wrongly labelled and inadvertently contained weapons and ammunition This is regrettable,” partly reads its statement issued Thursday.

“It is the policy of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) that during the crisis in South Sudan all arms and ammunition for peacekeeping contingents are flown into respective areas of deployment and not taken by road. This is an important security measure.”

The UN, however said, its headquarter intends to dispatch a high level investigation team to look into this matter on an urgent basis, in cooperation with South Sudan government.

(ST)