This article was last updated on May 26, 2022
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Ms. Hilde F. Johnson says UNMISS has been accused of 12 serious offences including supporting, hosting and arming rebels aligned to the former vice president Riek Machar now turned rebel leader.
“UNMISS strongly and categorically rejects any allegations related to support or transport of Dr. Riek Machar, which also would contravene the commitment of UN to act in full transparency in relation to the host government with regard to all operations,” Ms Johnson told the press in Juba on Thursday.
On the accusation of the Mission harbouring rebels, the SRSG said based on International Humanitarian Law, UNMISS has obligation to protect any civilian seeking refuge on its premises, including elements of from both sides of a conflict, without weapons and uniforms and when they have ceased to take part in hostilities.
The bond between UNMISS and the government of South Sudan recently soured further when the mission’s weapons were confiscated by security personnel in Lakes State en route (by road) to Bentiu, contrary to its own policy of transporting all its peacekeeping operations’ weaponry by air and with the consent of the government.
She however said it was an error with no particular intention of aiding the rebels, adding that there have been no landmines and anti-aircrafts as reported before.
“The High Level Investigation Committee from New York just confirmed through the serials numbers and appropriate documentation that the weapons in three containers in UNMISS’ convoy belonged to the Ghanaian battalion en route to Bentiu,” she said.
“The Committee found no evidence of any deliberate attempt by UNMISS staff, the contractors or Ghanaian battalion to secretly transport arms and ammunitions to any third party including rebel groups in South Sudan.”
According to Ms Johnson, the relation with the Government is improving and all UNMISS cargo and weapons have been released now en route to Bentiu by road and air respectively.
She thanked the foreign affairs minister Dr. Barnaba Marial for making efforts on the state TV to make the citizens understand the work of UNMISS.
“It is important that good working relation between UNMISS and government of South Sudan now continues,” Ms Johnson appealed.
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