South Sudan downplays US warnings on insecurity
January 9, 2015 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s foreign ministry said is was “unnecessary” for the United States to warn its citizens against traveling to the young nation over insecurity.
South Sudan’s foreign affairs spokesperson, however, expressed shock at the recent US directive.
“Of the 10 states of South Sudan, seven states are all secured and only three states have insecurity is few areas,” Makol exclusively told Sudan Tribune on Friday.
“The government is trying to open corridors which will allow humanitarian assistance to deliver food and so for anybody that is coming to this country, the government is providing safety and we are protecting everybody here in this country; whether foreigners or citizens,” he added.
The US Department of State, on Wednesday, said its embassy in Juba will “continue to operate at reduced staffing levels due to continued armed conflict outside Juba.”
Although Makol admitted that cases of robbers or car hijackings continued to rock capital, Juba, he was quick to dismiss them as “isolated” security threats that can happen in any metropolitan city.
“All these other cities have these crimes. These are just isolated crimes that happen time to time and we can also easily get them in western cities of the world,” said the diplomat.
The US, mid last year, issued a similar directive to its nationals in Juba citing insecurity.
(ST)