UNMISS denies CIVIC report on civilians’ protection in Juba
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This image provided by the UNMISS on July 11, 2016 shows some of the
at least 3000 displaced women, men and children taking shelter at the
UN compound in Tomping area in Juba (AFP Photo - Beatrice Mategwa)
October 6, 2016 (JUBA) – United Nations Mission in South Sudan
(UNMISS) has denied reports that its peacekeepers failed to protect
civilians during the July violence in the capital, Juba, between rival
forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and his deposed first deputy,
Riek Machar.
A report released on Wednesday by the U.S.-based Center for Civilians
in Conflict (CIVIC) accused the UN peacekeepers in the war-ravaged
nation of failing to carry out their Chapter Seven mandate which was
supposed to protect the civilians, including through the use of force
against the perpetrators of violence.
The report said UNMISS also used tear gas against civilians who
attempted to enter their compound during the fighting. UNMISS in a
statement issued on Thursday dismissed the accusations, explaining
that they allowed thousands of the civilians at risk to enter their
compounds in Juba.
“During the fighting in July, the Mission allowed several thousand
civilians to shelter in the accommodation/office areas of UN House and
over the days following, until the situation abated to allow them to
relocate to the POC site. These civilians in need of protection were
given what aid was available, including medical assistance by UNMISS
military and civilian personnel,” said Yasmina Bouziane, UNMISS’
spokesperson and Principal Public Information Officer.
UNMISS, she added, also opened its gates at Tomping to receive some
4,000 civilians in distress, and sheltered them for over two months in
temporary accommodations.
The Mission and humanitarian partners, she said, ensured that they
received all necessary humanitarian assistance and the Mission’s
protection, until they could be relocated to the POC site adjacent to
UN House, where they could better receive humanitarian assistance.
“The CIVIC report on the violence in Juba in July 2016 raises a number
of important issues related to the South Sudan peace process, the
behaviour of national security sources and their attacks against South
Sudanese and international civilians, and the Mission’s response to
the crisis,” she however admitted.
“The Mission takes its duty to protect civilians in imminent danger
very seriously, and we welcome any fair minded assessment of the
conduct of the Mission, as it assists us in addressing many of the
challenges we face,” she concluded.
(ST)
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