South Sudan embassy in Kenya accuses UN of alleged “bias”
July 6, 2015 (NAIROBI) – South Sudanese embassy in Kenya has issued a statement condemning the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and accusing the world body of alleged “biased” and “misleading” report about the atrocities committed against innocent civilians by the South Sudanese army (SPLA) in the oil-rich Unity state in the ongoing government’s offensive against rebels.
In the strongly worded accusation, South Sudan also asked UNMISS to refrain from making “false allegations” against the “elected” government of South Sudan.
“The embassy of South Sudan has read with shock and is deeply concerned about the contents of the UNAMISS report which was subsequently cited in articles published on the [Kenyan] Daily Nation (p28) and the Standard (p34) of July 1, 2015 respectively,” partly reads the statement dated 6 July, extended to Sudan Tribune on Monday.
“The said report erroneously accused the National Army of the Republic of South Sudan (SPLM) of crimes of Rape and burning of girls alive; heinous acts that were committed against the innocent citizens by the rebels operating in Unity state,” it further reads.
The statement explained that it was the rebels that turned against their own communities or families by killing and torturing them in order to blame it on the South Sudanese government. It maintained that UNMISS report was not correct.
“The UNAMISS report is biased and lacks credibility,” the embassy said.
The statement described the South Sudanese army as a “professional and disciplined force” governed by the rule of law and mandated by the constitution of the country to protect all citizens without discrimination and prejudice.
The statement condemned the report by UNMISS as “false allegation” and urged the world body’s organization to refrain from such allegations in the future so as to have a smooth relationship with the host government.
Reports this week from various sources including the Small Arms Survey said government troops and allied militia forces from Bul Nuer community, Warrap and Northern Bhar el Ghazal states have been carrying out atrocities against civilian populations in Unity state.
(ST)