South Sudan explains why UN relief coordinator was expelled
June 2, 2015 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese government has explained circumstances under which it expelled Toby Lanzer, the United Nations relief coordinator in the country.
“This [decision] came as a result of council of ministers’ resolution against the background of the statement he has made that is not responsible completely,” Ateny told reporters on Tuesday.
He described UN official as an “enemy”, who allegedly predicted that the South Sudanese economy would collapse, a statement in “violation” of his UN mandate.
“And Toby Lanzer’s statement was not giving hope to people of South Sudan given that he was predicting the collapse, the total collapse [of the country],” he said at a briefing in the capital, Juba.
On Tuesday, the UN secretary general, Ban Ki Moon condemned the expulsion of the Lanzer, urging South Sudan government to reverse its decision towards the UN envoy.
But Ateny said only president Salva Kiir had the prerogative to reverse the council of ministers’ decision, which held at the moment.
“If a country collapses, it will be rule of guns that will prevail and so anybody who makes statements that would not give hope to people of South Sudan is an enemy of South Sudan,” he stressed.
South Sudan’s information minister, Michael Makuei Lueth accused the former UN relief coordinator of uttering “misleading” statements.
“That guy [Lanzer] has been making untruthful statements,” he said.
EU AND UN CONDEMN EXPULSION
The European Union delegation joined the UN secretary general in condemning South Sudan’s decision to expel the senior UN humanitarian official.
“The Heads of Mission join UN secretary general Ban Ki Moon in condemning the decision of the government of South Sudan to expel Mr Toby Lanzer, deputy special representative of the secretary general,” the EU said in a statement issued Tuesday.
Lanzer, the delegation members said in a joint statement, had spared no effort on behalf of the millions of victims of the man-made crisis in world’s youngest nation.
“He has echoed the views of many members of the international community who believe it is time the leaders of South Sudan pay heed to the suffering of their people, and make the decisions and compromises that their people and the deepening humanitarian tragedy demand,” added the statement also extended to Sudan Tribune.
They further called for the reinstatement by the South Sudanese government of the expelled UN humanitarian coordinator to enable him complete his term of appointment.
“The heads of mission further call for all those who are working in the humanitarian field, from UN agencies and non-governmental organisations alike, to be accorded full respect and for their vital work to be facilitated by the Government of South Sudan,” it said.
Lanzer, a Briton, was last month appointed for another UN mission in the Sahel region.
(ST)