S. Sudanese rebels slam earlier order to expel foreign workers

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

September 19, 2014 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudanese rebels led by its former vice president, Riek Machar have described government’s earlier plans to expel foreign workers from the young nation as “unfortunate” and “ill intended”.

The rebels said Juba’s intention to expel foreign workers, including those employed in non-governmental organisations, was to frustrate regional and international efforts to avert famine.

Last week, the labour ministry ordered the expulsion of foreigners working in non-governmental organisations and privately owned companies by mid-October, demanding they be replaced by nationals.

The government, however, retracted the decision which attracted criticisms from East African member countries as many expressed concerns over the plight of the suffering population.

Foreign affairs minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin on Wednesday denied the country was expelling foreign workers.

“There are no foreign workers being expelled even from our region whether they are Ugandans, Kenyans or Ethiopians, Eritreans or Egyptians” he said, adding that there was no immediate plans to expel anybody.

But a rebel official claimed government intended to “deliberately” hamper humanitarian assistance to millions of people sympathetic to the opposition in the Greater Upper Nile region.

“We condemn this tribalistic and genocidal act by members of Kiir government to depopulate Greater Upper Nile region through such tactics,” Bor Gatwech Kuany, head of South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Agency, SPLM/A Humanitarian wing, told Sudan Tribune.

“How will the South Sudanese nationals be able to provide humanitarian services at such critical time when there is ethnically targeted killings across the country?” he asked.

Thousands have died in the conflict, with more than 1.5 million displaced from their homes, including hundreds of thousands who have fled to neighbouring countries.

(ST)