UN accuses S. Sudanese authorities of restricting movements

March 12, 2014 (JUBA) – The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has accused authorities in the new nation of restricting its movements, saying it contravenes the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) signed by both parties.

The mission, in a statement issued Wednesday, said it had become difficult to implement its mandate that dangerous a working environment existed for its staff in the country.

“The mission calls on all parties to respect the work of the UN and the inviolability of UN assets and premises,” partly reads the statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

Meanwhile, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said it had exacerbated the already difficult living conditions, citing a situation in which heavy rains damaged several tents sheltering thousands of refugees at its camp in Juba, last week.

“Aid agencies responded with measures to improve drainage and shelters in the site, and will assist people to move to plots in the UN House base later this week,” Stephane Dujarric, a spokesperson for the Secretary General told a briefing in New York.

All efforts were reportedly underway by its South Sudan mission to find ways of improving the present conditions, by trying to extend current sites and constructing new ones.

“The displaced communities and the aid agencies supporting them expect to face similar challenges in several sites once the rainy season starts in earnest in April,” he further said.

(ST)