26000 flee South Sudan to Uganda, says UN

It was written to advise Ban Ki Moon, the secretary-general, and questioned whether the United Kingdom should be dictating worldwide security policy “when they are quick to abandon…”

Forces loyal to rivals President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar had fought street battles in the capital over five days in violence that killed at least 272 people.

HelpAgeFresh fighting broke out in Juba the weekend it marked its fifth independence day and left 36,000 people internally displaced in different parts in Juba with a number attempting to cross over to neighbouring Uganda. Forces backing President Salva Kiir bombing the home of former rebel leader Riek Machar, now the country’s first vice president, and United Nations compounds sheltering about 32,000 civilians were also shelled.

“UN peacekeeping has chose to disinvite these PCCs (police-contributing country) from returning their police officers to South Sudan and has conveyed this decision to the concerned countries”, added the official.

Another Uganda People’s Defense Force convoy evacuating Ugandan nationals from South Sudan is expected today.

Britain’s move, Reuters reported, was done without consulting the UN.

The operation includes 1,200 police officers out of a 13,500-strong peacekeeping force.

UNMISS is concerned by these developments, which are a clear violation of the Status of Forces Agreement signed with the Government, and which are preventing the United Nations from implementing its mandate in the country, said Haq.

Kiir had appealed on Thursday for Machar to return to Juba and work towards rebuilding peace, pledging to guarantee his safety.

The officers were part of an global team sent to mentor the South Sudan police force.

It went on to say that this raises questions about Security Council members who give instructions to “others on how to handle peace and security issues when they themselves are quick to abandon their post in challenging situations”.

Headed by the civil society alliance, amongst the protesters includes the students union, youth leagues, women, school children reject the additional troops recently agreed by the East African Bloc in Nairobi Kenya.