By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, July 1 -- The UN Security Council belatedly issued a Press Statement on Friday about the killings in Wau, South Sudan. The statement did not say how many civilians were killed, nor explain why the UNMISS mission did not open the gates to its camp.
“The members of the Security Council expressed deep alarm at the fighting in Wau, South Sudan which broke out on June 24 and has resulted in the displacement of an estimated 70,000 people, including 12,000 sheltering near the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) base in Wau,” the UNSC statement on Friday began.
“The members of the Security Council acknowledged the formation of the investigation committee by the Transitional Government of National Unity and urged the Transitional Government of National Unity to quickly investigate the attack and hold those responsible to account,” the UNSC's statement continued. But the UN itself has not been accountable for its failings in Malakal in February.
“The members of the Security Council expressed appreciation for UNMISS’s efforts to carry out its protection of civilians mandate. While the members of the Security Council underscored the importance of the role of UNMISS in the protection of civilians, the primary responsibility for protection of civilians in South Sudan remains with the Transitional Government of National Unity,” the UNSC's Press Statement on Friday concluded.
On Tuesday, Ban Ki-moon will accept the credentials of South Sudan's replacement for Francis Deng as Ambasssador, Akuei Bona Malwal, previously posted in Addis Ababa. We'll have more on this.
How low has the UN fallen, in terms of corruption, not stopping rapes, and retaliating against the Press that asks the questions? April 16 eviction here and here. May 14 New York Times here.
On May 26 amid UN Peacekeeping scandals ranging from rapes and sexual exploitation to the “protection of civilians” crisis exemplified by the failure at Malakal in South Sudan, DPKO chief Herve Ladsous and DFS' Atule Khare held a press conference. Ladsous refused any questions; and the Malakal report promised by the end of May didn't come out for three week.
On May 26 amid UN Peacekeeping scandals ranging from rapes and sexual exploitation to the “protection of civilians” crisis exemplified by the failure at Malakal in South Sudan, DPKO chief Herve Ladsous and DFS' Atule Khare held a press conference. Ladsous refused any questions; and the Malakal report promised by the end of May didn't come out for three week.
On June 23, Inner City Press asked Ban Ki-moon's deputy spokesman Farhan Haq a question Ladsous refused on June 22, video of refusal here, June 23 transcript below.
Now the impact of Ban Ki-moon's UN withholding reports about its failures, and his Ladsous refusing to answer Press questions about it, become even more clear. In Wau, as fighting picks up, sources say the UN did not allow into its “Protection of Civilians” base those fleeing the violence.
Despite that, Ban Ki-moon issued a canned statement to some, praising the response. On June 30, Inner City Press asked Ban's spokesman Stephane Dujarric, video here, UN transcript here