UN denies plans to place South Sudan under “protectorate”
December 1, 2014 (JUBA) – A spokesperson for the United Nations secretary-general has dismissed as “false” media reports claiming the world body plans to place South Sudan into a trusteeship or protectorate due to delays in ongoing peace talks.
“I can tell you that these reports are completely false nor true,” said Stephane Dujarric.
He said there were “rumours” in South Sudanese and other regional media alleging that the UN has a plan to place the Republic of South Sudan under a ‘protectorate’.
“The secretary-general wishes to make it categorically clear that neither he nor the UN Mission in South Sudan, UNMISS, is aware of any plans or discussions within the United Nations to take such course of action,” said Dujarric.
He further said that the UN has supported “the cause of self-determination” for South Sudan from the time of the 2005 through to the 2011 referendum and independence.
“None of this would have been possible without the help of the United Nations,” he added.
Last month, the UN Security Council (UNSC) said it could consider a draft resolution on South Sudan that would impose sanctions targeting president Salva Kiir and rebel leader, Riek Machar.
Tens of thousands of people have been killed and nearly two million displaced following last year’s outbreak of violence pitting president Kiir’s ethnic Dinka group against Machar’s Nuer people.
(ST)