UN Condemns Hate Speech In South Sudan

The Special Representative of the United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Hilde F. Johnson has revealed that the UN has been informed that repetitive hate speech is continuously being used to instigate ethnic violence and inciting communities to take aggressive actions.

“We are deeply concerned about messages that have been made publicly by some individuals and groups. These statements could incite systematic ethnic violence. Threats were made to wipe out an entire ethnic group from the face of the earth. Such statements are in violation of both international law and South Sudan’s domestic laws. The United Nations condemns them in the strongest terms,” Ms. Johnson stressed 

“This is a grave concern; I call on all community leaders at all levels in Jonglei State, and nationally to call for a halt to any such negative rhetoric. I also call on the government to bring the full force of the law against those responsible for inciting violence,” she added.

The Special Envoy said that the UN was aware that Lou Nuer youths were going to attack Pibor and the UN was able to give early warning to the community and help in evacuating some of them.

“I don’t want to read out of these press statements but I have them in front of you. We are not sure to which extend does it involve the Diaspora. It says that it’s comes from one particular community, armed representatives. We have several statements.  This is real! Ms. Johnson stressed.

However the question of UNMISS chapter 7 was repeatedly questioned. Pictures from Pibor indicate that some civilians were killed just few meters to UN base and the UN could not help them. When the question was put to Hilde Johnson she said UNMISS soldiers were able to search and save 41 people in Lokwangole but did not rule out other factors.

“Am not aware of any account where civilians who were trying to find protection from UNMISS compound and were not provided with that, the troops were under clear instruction and to our knowledge this didn’t happen. In Pibor we had defensive position where civilians were protected behind the defensive positions. The modality in Lokwangole and Pibor were different,” Hilde clarified.

The UNMISS forces were outnumbered by the Lou Nuer youths during the attack. The UN is currently deploying a deterrent platoon in areas which are mostly vulnerable. The UN cannot arrest but to report to the UN Security Council and the government for action.