UN to probe bloody attack on Malakal IDPs camp

March 11, 2016 (JUBA) – The United Nations have decided to investigate the response of its peacekeepers deployed in South Sudan to clashes that broke out in a camp of displaced persons under their protection in Malakal last February.

This decision which is announced by U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric on Friday comes after the Rwandan peacekeepers were accused of being complicit with the South Sudanese army elements in the 17 February attacks on the IDPs which left over 40 people dead, over 90 wounded with many more still missing.

“Still on South Sudan, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Department of Field Support are convening an Independent High-Level Board of Inquiry to conduct an in-depth investigation into the UN Mission’s response to clashes which broke out in the mission’s protection of civilians (POC) site in Malakal on 17 and 18 February,” said Dujarric..

“The UN Mission is also reviewing enhanced preparedness measures and contingency planning for its Protection of Civilian sites,” he further said remarks at a press conference at the UN Headquarters in NY today.

In a letter dated 20 February 2016 addressed to the United Nations deputy secretary general for humanitarian affairs, the resident of Malakal camp who are from Shilluk and Nuer ethnic groups said the Rwandan cooperated with the SPLA in the attack.

The residents called for an independent investigation into the deadly incident and said the attackers who belong to the SPLA forces wanted to remove them from the area which is now part of the new state of Eastern Upper Nile, given to Dinka of Padang community.

UNMISS chief apologized for failing to protect the camp and vowed to deploy more troops there to deter future attacks.

Also the bloody attack was condemned by the Security Council, European Union and Troika countries (United States, United Kingdom and Norway).

(ST)