U.S. envoy condemns targeted raping of aliens in South Sudan
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August 16, 2016 (JUBA) – The United States Permanent Representative to
the United Nations Ambassador Samantha Power said she is “outraged by
reports of assaults” on foreign aid workers and journalists in South
Sudanese capital, Juba last month.
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US ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power (Photo: AFP/Andrew Burton)
In a press statement released Monday, Power said South Sudanese
soldiers carried out the attacks in an aid workers’ compound located
in Juba.
“Attacks against brave individuals attempting to help the people of
South Sudan are attacks against humanity itself,” partly reads Power’s
strongly-worded statement.
She said “all innocent civilians deserve protection” and blamed the
government of South Sudan for not doing its job as required.
“Throughout this three-year conflict, the Government of South Sudan
has routinely allowed impunity for murder and sexual violence. This
must end. South Sudan’s leaders must investigate this incident and
hold accountable the individuals responsible for these cowardly and
brutal assaults,” she added.
Power also blasted the 12,000 strong UN Mission in South Sudan for
failing to respond when informed of attacks on the humanitarian
compound. She said government sent “a response force to the site”
after being contacted by the US embassy in Juba.
“We are deeply concerned that United Nations peacekeepers were
apparently either incapable of or unwilling to respond to calls for
help. We have requested and are awaiting the outcome of an
investigation by the United Nations and demand swift corrective action
in the event that these allegations are substantiated," stressed
Power.
Fighting resumed last month in Juba between forces loyal to President
Salva Kiir and former first vice president Riek Machar. The four days
street battles were marred by allegations of targeted killing, rapes
and looting of properties.
Power said this latest revelation of rapes against foreign workers and
journalists “further underscores the need for an enhanced, assertive,
and more robust international peacekeeping presence in Juba in order
to better prevent crimes against civilians and the further
deterioration of security in the capital.”
The UN Security Council mandated the creation of a robust unit of
4,000 peacekeepers last week. Power called on warring parties to
“cease attacks” against innocent civilians.
In a speech to parliament on Monday, President Kiir pledged protection
for non-governmental organization (NGOs) staffs. He said he
“understands the concerns regarding the safety of NGOs staffs” and his
government will ensure their safety.
“I instructed the Ministers of Defense and National Security to create
a safe environment throughout the country that would make their
movement and activities unthreatened and uninterrupted. They are here
to help us and it is our practical responsibility and moral duty to
make sure they are safe,” he said, but did not elaborate further.
“We will ensure the safety of all the citizens and expatriates
wherever they are in the country and avoid our citizens’ continued
stay in Protection of Civilian (POC) sites […] As part of this plan,
by the first quarter of 2017, the safety of the people of our capital
will under the full jurisdiction of specially trained civilian police
and not military units. We will make our cities safe cities like other
major cities in the world," he added.
Previous promises by the president to end violence against civilians
and humanitarian workers have come pass without significant
improvement in security within Juba.
(ST)
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Kind regards,
The Sudan Tribune editorial team.
17 August 06:50, by Eastern
The US shouldn’t just stop at condemning, it should spell out how
it intends to punish those who brought and commanded Mathiang anyoor
in Juba. First they sprayed a US embassy vehicle with bullets with the
intention of killing American then they gang raped foreign women to
humiliate foreigners by showing that "we now have a country of our
own". Kiir must be punished for this!
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