South Sudan citizens protest against deployment of foreign troops

South Sudan’s health ministry has not declared an outbreak because samples are undergoing final laboratory testing for confirmation, but a cholera response plan has been launched anyway, said ministry official Dr. Thomas Akim Ujjiga.

The evacuation is part of the emergency measures the Chinese government is taking to protect its citizens in the recent fighting between government troops of President Salva Kiir and forces loyal to Vice President Riek Machar in Juba.

A peace deal brought both men back to the table in April, but, barely three months later, tension between their troops turned to heavy fighting in Juba.

Ateny said additional foreign troops without government approval would be an “invasion of South Sudan”.

“It is crucial for a country seeking to establish peace and stability that it takes active steps to encourage freedom of expression for everyone”, said David Kaye, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, referring to the recently installed transitional Government.

A spokesman for UK’s UN mission said the UK temporarily removed its two unarmed police officers on July 13 “for the officers’s safety” and had told the UN police adviser in advance. “Their well-being is our chief concern”, said the spokesperson.

Threats of punitive action against the United Kingdom came after it withdrew police officers from a mission in South Sudan during recent violence without first consulting the world body.

According to the memo, Britain and Sweden’s withdrawal of police “can be considered a lack of respect to their engagement on peace and security”.

The withdrawal of seven police officers from Germany and two from Britain put an end to their participation in the Unmiss police force.

The document warns that the UK’s actions “raises the question of their merits to hold a permanent seat at the Security Council and mandating others on how to handle peace and security issues when they themselves are quick to abandon their post in challenging situations”.

The violence raised concerns about the revival of a civil war that gripped the nation in December 2013.