UN Warns Kiir On Impending Regional War The UN Security Council has urged President Salva Kiir to heed the call for the withdrawal of foreign troops from South Sudan in order to prevent an impending regional war. By Honeywell Dickens Okello 1 hour ago President Salva Kiir President Salva Kiir “Urging full cooperation with IGAD and UNMISS, the Council called for redeployment and/or progressive withdrawal of allied forces invited by either side, and warned of the “serious consequences” which could result from any regionalisation of the conflict,” a statement from UN reads. UN joins states like Norway, Sudan, US and Kenya which have repeatedly called on President Kiir to work with IGAD and ensure that foreign forces are withdrawn for the country as demanded by the rebels so as to achieve a successful political dialogue. In a statement released by Jen Psaki, State Department Spokesperson Washington, DC, US “urged the redeployment or phased withdrawal of foreign forces invited by either side, and warn of the serious consequences which could result from any regionalisation of this conflict”. In the same light, the Ethiopian government expressed worry of an impending regional conflict if Uganda insisted on keeping its troops engaged in armed combat against South Sudan rebels. In a statement, the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, called upon all the involved parties to withdraw their troops in order to guard against a possible regional conflict. “The conflict might end up as a regional conflict because there are other interests also from other sides,” Desalegn warned. He added: Ugandan forces and all other external forces must withdraw from that area. Not long, Ambassador Seyoum Mesfin, Chairperson of the IGAD Special Envoys for South Sudan, had expressed his frustration at the stumbling block posed by Ugandan troops as far as the talks are concerned. “This is a political crisis and cannot be solved by fighting and this is what both parties have reaffirmed to the envoys while they were visiting them in South Sudan.,” said Mesfin at Sheraton Hotel Addis Abeba. “However, the presence of Uganda is becoming a challenging issue to us.” Sudan, Kenya and Norway had also expressed their dissatisfaction with the continued deployment of Ugandan troops in the war-torn country. The continued deployment saw the rebel delegation led by Gen Taban Deng Gai boycott peace talks calling for their demands to be respected. In response, Ugandan ministers and army officers said they would not withdraw the national army not until peace has been achieved in South Sudan. More warning on continued fighting Meanwhile, the UN Security Council is not happy with reports alleging indiscriminate use of cluster munitions by warring parties to the conflict. As for the fresh round of talks, the Council noted that the exercise now under way between the parties is intended to foster an inclusive political dialogue and national reconciliation ensuring durable peace and rule of law in South Sudan, “while addressing the underlying causes of the conflict and preventing further escalation of inter-ethnic violence and division.” They welcomed the release of seven of the detained political leaders on January 29 and urged the immediate release of the remaining four detained leaders, “so that they can join Government, political, civil society, women, youth, traditional and religious leaders in participating in the political dialogue and a reinvigorated constitutional process.” Stressing that the dialogue will succeed only if it is fully inclusive, the Council therefore called for all the detained and formerly detained political leaders to be allowed to take part in the political process and supported the intent of the IGAD Special Envoys to host a series of public consultations in support of national dialogue, as mandated by the IGAD Heads of State. In the statement, Council members strongly condemned widespread violation of human rights and international humanitarian law, including “targeted violence against civilians and specific ethnic and other communities”, that have resulted in the loss of many thousands of civilian lives. The Council reiterated its steadfast support for UNMISS and its vital mission on behalf of the international community to protect civilians in South Sudan, including foreign nationals, conduct human rights monitoring and investigations, and facilitate assistance to populations in need. With that in mind, the 15-nation body strongly condemned all actions by Government and opposition forces that obstruct or impede the work of UNMISS and threaten its personnel and stressed that all such actions must cease. Deploring violations of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), the Council demanded that all parties cooperate fully with UNMISS, cease obstruction to the implementation of the missions mandate, and respect the inviolability of its protection sites, aircraft and vehicles. “In this regard, [Council members] renewed their call to the Government of South Sudan to immediately accept those additional troops and police, without conditions and regardless of country of origin,” the said in the statement, adding that armed threats and attacks on United Nations personnel and facilities are unacceptable and may constitute a violation of international law. - See more at: chimpreports/index.php/regional-news/s-sudan/17051-un-warns-kiir-on-impending-regional-war.html#sthash.WuhM5icW.wqpoN5QS.dpuf
Posted on: Fri, 14 Feb 2014 07:55:06 +0000
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