UNMISS denies report of peacekeepers reinforcing SPLA garrisons

(MENAFNEditorial) JUBA South Sudan September 30 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The attention of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has been drawn to allegations that appeared yesterday in an article that was posted on the pro-armed opposition website nyamile.com accusing the UNMISS peacekeepers of installing barbed wire fencing around SPLA garrisons in various locations in South Sudan to prevent SPLA troops from abandoning their positions in the event of future attacks.

UNMISS categorically denies these allegations and notes that among other inaccuracies contained in the report there are no Rwandan peacekeepers deployed in Renk Nasir or Bentiu as claimed in the article. The Mission also deplores the growing tendency by individuals opposed to the efforts to restore peace in South Sudan to resort to malicious propaganda intended to exacerbate tensions and conflict.

UNMISS is mandated by the UN Security Council to protect civilians; monitor investigate and promote human rights; facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance; and support the implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Sudan and the SPLA in Opposition. The Mission has consistently maintained a stance of strict impartiality in the ongoing conflict in South Sudan in keeping with its mandate and there is no truth whatsoever to the allegations in the nyamile.com article.