After
Ladsous
Spoonfeeds
Scribes on S.
Sudan, FUNCA
Asks UN of CAR
By
Matthew
Russell Lee
UNITED
NATIONS, July
9 -- While
refusing to
answer
questions
about any
protection of
civilians in
South Sudan,
or about his
role in
covering up
French
soldiers' rape
of children in
the Central
African
Republic, the
reclusive head
of UN
Peacekeeping
Herve Ladsous
on July 8
spoon-fed a
"small group
of reporters"
his views on
South Sudan.
On July 9,
Inner City
Press for the
Free UN
Coalition for
Access asked
the UN about
it, video
here.
Ladsous did
not speak at
the UNTV
stakeout, as
his also
French
predecessors
Alain Le Roy
and Jean-Marie
Guehenno did;
he refused to
answer Inner
City Press
about any
steps to
protect
civilians at
Malakal, nor
if Ban
Ki-moon's
Panel on the
CAR rapes has
spoken to him
yet.
Instead, hours
after Ladsous
scurried from
the Security
Council to the
elevator
without
answering,
ever-pliant US
Voice of
America and
Reuters
channeled his
quotes to a
"small group
of reporters."
This is how
propaganda
works, and how
rapes like in
Bangui and Tabit
in Dafur
and Minova in
DRC before it
are covered
up.
And so on July
9, Inner City
Press for
FUNCA asked UN
Spokesman
Stephane
Dujarric, video here:
Inner
City Press: on
press
freedom.
The Sri Lankan
President,
[Maithripala]
Sirisena, some
of whose moves
have been
praised by the
Secretary-General,
has decided to
reinstitute
something
called the Sri
Lankan Press
Council that
has the power
to put
journalists in
jail for their
reporting,
only for
speech or
writing.
And I wanted
to know, since
groups are
condemning
this, does the
Secretary-General
have any view
on that?
Spokesman
Dujarric:
We'll take…
we'll take a
look.
Obviously, the
Secretary-General
[would] urge
any country to
ensure that
laws are there
to support
press freedom
and not impede
them.
I'll take a
look at the
specific case.
Inner City
Press:
Possibly on
that same
front, this is
a factual
question.
Yesterday
there was a
consultation…
closed-door
consultation
about South
Sudan.
And
afterwards,
Mr. [Hervé]
Ladsous didn't
speak at the
stakeout,
declined
questions on
the
stairway.
But
afterwards,
there were at
least two
stories saying
he told a
small group of
reporters that
he was
requesting an
arms embargo
on the
Government or
all sides on
South
Sudan. I
wanted to
know, one, is
that the UN
position?
Two, where and
how did
Secretary-General…
Under-Secretary-General
Ladsous who's…
he's a public
official.
Like, is this
really his
position?
Why didn't he
go to the
stakeout or
say…
Spokesman:
I think…
[cross talk]
Yes, he is,
indeed, a
public
official.
UN officials
give
interviews
left, right
and centre.
Inner City
Press:
Was this
filmed?
A
transcript?
Is there some
way…
Spokesman:
Matthew, I
understand.
There's no…
you know, we
don't provide
transcripts of
interviews
that
journalists
do, just as we
don't provide
transcripts of
interviews the
Secretary-General
does with
individual
journalists or
group of
journalists.
What I can
tell you that
obviously the…
you know, the
issue of… I
mean, I think
we've seen in
South Sudan
the toll that
it's taken on
civilians
since this
started more
than a year
ago, and that
if the flow of
weapons and
equipment is
not stemmed,
civilians will
continue to
die in large
numbers.
I think the
Secretary-General,
the UN, feels
that it's time
to end the
supply of
weapons and
military
equipment to
all parties on
the
conflict.
Now,
obviously, the
decision of an
embargo is up
to the
[Security
Council], but
it is clearly
our position
that we feel
that continued
flow of
weapons to all
members should
stop.
Inner City
Press:
Since his two
predecessors
at DPKO
(Department of
Peacekeeping
Operations)
used to do
these kind of
announcements
at a
stakeout--
Spokesman:
Listen, I
think… [cross
talk] I think
there are…
Inner City
Press:
To have that
news.
Spokesman:
There are
different
modes of
communicating.
Mr. Ladsous
has done
numerous
stakeouts.
Inner City
Press:
When was the
last one?
Spokesman:
You can check,
but he often
does a
stakeout, or
other senior
DPKO officials
do a
stakeout.
Senior UN
officials are
all free to
use different
methods to
communicate
and we’re also
available
daily here to
answer those
questions.
Inner City
Press:
One final
question.
Has the panel
on the Central
African
Republic
sexual abuse
issues spoken
to Mr. Ladsous
yet, and can
you describe
the status of
the panel's
work?
Spokesman:
No, the panel
will begin its
work very
shortly.
Who they will
speak to, when
they will
speak, I don't
know. I
don't want to
know.
It's up to
them to do
their work
independently.
And it will be
then… they
will then
make… report
back to the
Secretary-General.
The
Secretary-General
has clearly
said that that
report will be
made
public.
And we can see
who they've
spoken to.
Ladsous is
destroying not
only UN
Peacekeeping
-- do a News
search, it's
mostly about
sexual abuse
-- but also
other sections
of the UN
world. And the
scribes just
keep
channeling.
Watch this
site.
The UN
Security
Council on
July 1 imposed
sanctions
including a
travel ban on
six South
Sudan
individuals,
for only one
of which the
UN has a
passport
number listed.
Travel ban on
non-travelers?
Hours
later, UN
Secretary
General issued
a statement
condemning an
attack on the
UN's
Protection of
Civilians site
in Malakal,
specifically
asking for an
investigation
from Riek
Machar and
Johnson Olony.
But on July 8,
after UN
Peacekeeping
chief Herve
Ladsous
briefed the
Security
Council behind
closed doors
about South
Sudan, and
Inner City
Press asked
him about
Malakal when
he came out of
the Council,
Ladsous
refused to
answer. Periscope
video here for
now. (He
also refused
to answer if
the Central
African
Republic
sexual abuse
investigation
panel has
spoken with
him yet.)
So
when the
Security
Council's
president for
July Gerard
van Bohemen of
New Zealand
came to the
stakeout,
Inner City
Press asked
him if Malakal
and how the UN
can better
protect
civilians was
discussed. He
answered that
this was not
discussed in
the
consultation;
neither was
Riek Machar's
public
comments that
fighting will
continue as
long as Salva
Kiir, whose
term expires
on July 8,
remains in
power. Periscope
video here,
for now.
Inner
City Press Q:
On South
Sudan, as to
UNMIS, was
there a
discussion of
the incident
in Malakal
where an IDP
was killed?
And, Riek
Machar has
said he’ll
keep fighting
as long as
Salva Kiir
stays in
power, and
that Salva
Kiir's term
expires today,
July 8. Did
this come up?
A: Neither of
those specific
situations
have been
discussed
today.
How
could neither
of this -- the
Machar
comments and
especially the
killing at
Malakal and
how the UN
could do
better -- have
been raised by
or to Ladsous?
We'll be
seeking more
on this - and
on the CAR
sexual abuse
panel. Watch
this site.
Of
the UNSC
sancctions,
one of those
now
sanctioned,
without a
listed
passport, is
Peter Gadet,
regarding whom
Inner City
Press has
previously
asked the US
State
Department,
here. The
individual
WITH the
passport is
Marial
Chanuong Yol
Mangok,
Passport no.:
R00005943,
South Sudan.
Here's the
full list,
from US
Ambassador
Samantha
Power's July 1
statement:
"Today,
the Security
Council took
strong action
in support of
a peaceful end
to the
conflict in
South Sudan by
sanctioning
six South
Sudanese
individuals
for fueling
the ongoing
conflict and
contributing
to the
devastating
humanitarian
crisis in
their country.
Major-General
Marial
Chanuong Yol
Mangok;
Lieutenant-General
Gabriel Jok
Riak;
Major-General
Santino Deng
Wol;
Major-General
Simon Gatwech
Dual;
Major-General
James Koang
Chuol; and
Major-General
Peter Gadet
will now be
subject to a
global travel
ban and asset
freeze for
their
contributions
to a conflict
that has
left more than
6.5 million
people in need
of
humanitarian
assistance and
forced more
than 2 million
from their
homes."
Back on May
20, six days
after the UN's
envoy to South
Sudan Ellen
Loj spoke to
the Security
Council and to the
Press at the
Council
stakeout on
May 14, on
the evening of
May 20 the US
State
Department
issued a
statement
about violence
in South
Sudan:
"The
United States
condemns the
intensified
fighting and
violence in
Unity, Upper
Nile, and
Jonglei states
in South Sudan
by the Sudan
People’s
Liberation
Army, the
armed
opposition,
and forces led
by General
Johnson Olony
that have led
to massive new
developments
and had a
devastating
effect on
civilians.
We call on all
armed groups
to immediately
halt offensive
actions taken
in
contravention
of the January
2014 Cessation
of Hostilities
Agreement.
Violations
of
international
humanitarian
norms,
including the
outright
targeting of
civilians
already
vulnerable to
greater harm,
especially
women and
children, and
grave human
rights abuses
and violations
of
international
humanitarian
law by all
sides are
unacceptable.
The
international
community will
hold those who
perpetrate
such abuses
and violations
to account.
We call
on all sides
to silence the
guns
immediately,
permit the UN
Mission in
South Sudan to
investigate
the sites of
all alleged
human rights
abuses and
violations of
international
humanitarian
law, and allow
all
humanitarian
workers
immediate,
free and
unobstructed
access to
conflicted-affected
communities
regardless of
their
locations.
The
human, social,
and economic
costs of this
war have been
devastating
and the
long-suffering
people of
South Sudan
will also bear
the brunt of
the potential
long-term
consequences
of this
escalating
fighting.
Any damage to
South Sudan’s
oil
infrastructure
is an
additional
life-long
wound to the
people and
jeopardizes
South Sudan’s
development
and
rebuilding.
These
resources
belong to all
South Sudanese
people and the
needs of the
nation should
be prioritized
over the
violent
intentions of
a few.
We
will continue
to work for a
better future
for all South
Sudanese
citizens and
condemn those
that
intentionally
jeopardize
their
collective
future."
Inner City
Press on May
15 asked Loj
about the UN
Mission in
South Sudan
base in
Bentiu, and
more generally
about
proposals to
lift UN
immunity,
called Code
Blue, in the
wake of the
alleged rape
of children in
Central
African
Republic by
French
"peacekeepers"
in the
Sangaris
force,
allegedly
covered up by
French UN
Peacekeeping
chief Herve
Ladsous.
(While
the Security
Council, on
which France
has one of
five permanent
veto-wielding
seats, has
taken no
action on this
issue, the
General
Assembly's
Fifth (Budget)
Committee has
summoned Ban
Ki-moon's
chief of staff
to a close
door meeting,
as Inner City
Press first
reported.)
The Council's
statement
mentions for
example the
UNMISS camp at
Bentiu, but
none of the
issues raised
to and by Loj
at her May 14
stakeout and
May 15 press
conference. Video here.
Loj
acknowledged
that the new
Bentiu camp
she had
referred to
the day prior
was not yet
ready, and
that SPLA
intelligence
are sometimes
in front of
the existing
camp. She
again noted
camp
residents, not
only in Bentiu
but also in
Juba, cutting
the wires of
the fence.
Afterward, her
and one of
Ladsous'
spokespeople
said that
journalists
are free to
visit the
Bentui camp
(although
Inner City
Press and the
Free UN
Coalition for
Access have
heard
differently;
we hope to
have more on
this.)
Here is
the Security
Council's May
17 press
statement:
The following
Security
Council press
statement was
issued today
by Council
President
Raimonda
Murmokaité
(Lithuania):
On 14 May, the
members of the
Security
Council were
briefed by
Special
Representative
of the
Secretary-General
Ellen
Margrethe Lřj
on the
situation in
South Sudan.
The members of
the Security
Council
expressed
condemnation
at the renewed
and ongoing
large-scale
violence in
Unity State
caused by the
recent
Government of
South Sudan
offensive and
resulting in
the
displacement
of more than
100,000
civilians and
the suspension
of nearly all
activity and
delivery of
aid to
populations in
the affected
areas, over
300,000
civilians, by
humanitarian
agencies and
organizations.
The members of
the Security
Council
further
expressed
their
condemnation
of the
large-scale
attack
initiated on
15 May by the
SPLM/A (in
Opposition) on
the town of
Malakal, in
Upper Nile
State.
The members of
the Security
Council
underlined
their grave
concern that
as a result of
violence and
increased
insecurity
since the
beginning of
the conflict,
more than
50,000
internally
displaced
persons have
sought shelter
and assistance
at the United
Nations
Mission in
South Sudan
(UNMISS) camp
in Bentiu, and
an additional
nearly 25,000
at the UNMISS
camp in
Malakal, only
further
magnifying a
dire
humanitarian
crisis.
The members of
the Security
Council
condemned in
the strongest
terms the
repeated
violations of
the Cessation
of Hostilities
Agreement
accepted and
signed by the
Republic of
South Sudan
and the SPLM/A
(in
Opposition) on
23 January
2014, and
underscored
that there is
no military
solution to
this conflict
that has now
lasted more
than 17
months.
The members of
the Security
Council called
upon all
parties to
engage
meaningfully
in the peace
process so as
to bring about
a political
solution to
the crisis and
an end to the
conflict.
They
acknowledged
the IGAD-led
peace process
and urged
renewed
regional and
international
efforts to
swiftly
implement a
common plan
and to table a
reasonable and
comprehensive
solution to
end the crisis
in South
Sudan.
In this
context, they
reiterated
their
willingness to
impose
sanctions
against those
who threaten
the peace,
security, or
stability of
South Sudan as
established in
resolution
2206 (2015),
and noted the
24 March 2015
African Union
Peace and
Security
Council
Communiqué on
South Sudan
and the 12 May
2015 African
Union
Commission
Chairperson’s
Statement on
South Sudan in
this regard.
The members of
the Security
Council
reiterated
their full
support for
UNMISS
peacekeepers
and for the
vital mandate
they are
performing
under very
difficult
conditions,
including to
protect
civilians in
South
Sudan.
They demanded
that all
parties end
intimidation
and harassment
against UNMISS
and
humanitarian
personnel,
cease ongoing
restrictions
on freedom of
movement, and
allow UNMISS
to fully
implement its
mandate.
They further
demanded full
adherence to
the Status of
Forces
Agreement and
permission for
the deployment
of essential
assets and
enablers
currently
being blocked
by the
Government of
South
Sudan.
The members of
the Security
Council
underscored
the importance
of close
cooperation
and
communication
between UNMISS
and the
Government in
addressing
these issues.
The members of
the Security
Council
condemned, and
reiterated
their demand
for an
immediate end
to, all human
rights
violations and
abuses and
violations of
international
humanitarian
law.
They
reiterated
that those
responsible
for violations
of
international
humanitarian
law and
violations and
abuses of
human rights
must be held
accountable
and that the
Government of
South Sudan
bears the
primary
responsibility
to protect
civilians
within its
territory and
subject to its
jurisdiction,
including from
potential
crimes against
humanity and
war crimes.
The Security
Council
renewed its
calls for the
parties to the
conflict to
allow and
facilitate the
full, safe and
unhindered
access of
humanitarian
personnel,
equipment and
supplies to
all those in
need and
timely
delivery of
humanitarian
assistance in
accordance
with relevant
provisions of
international
law and United
Nations
guiding
principles of
humanitarian
assistance.
Loj said
that as a
former
diplomat she
did not favor
any blanket
lifting of
immunity. She
said she has
taken sexual
abuse
seriously,
then said she
is strict
about curfew.
One was left
wondering how
the UN will
reform itself,
if it ever
will.
Let's see how
you write this
up, Loj
genially said.
Well here it
is.
Loosely
transcribed by
Inner City
Press (video
here), Loj
replied on May
14
"Let
me say what
UNMIS has
undertaken in
collaboration
with IOM [the
International
Organization
for
Migration].
Primarily the
project is
primarily
financed by
the Dutch
government.
It’s actually
a new site for
the camp, on
higher ground
and with
better
drainage,
because the
Bentiu camp
was totally
flooded during
the last rainy
season. That
work is being
undertaken as
of this week.
We are hoping
to get it
finished…
As far as the
fence, the
problem with
the fence is
not that UNMIS
is not putting
up the fence.
It’s that even
if the fence
were there,
the problem
with the fence
is that the
IDPs
themselves
cross the
fence in
order to sneak
out...
Yes, we have
had troubles
with the
SPLA,
right outside
the gates, and
we have tried
to solve
it...We are
doing our
utmost to
ensure that
nobody enters
the camp with
weapons. We
are doing
regular
searches in
all camps …
for alcohol
and illegal
substances…"
She then said
that UNMISS
installed
lights, but
people break
them. There
was more to
ask, including
from great
reporters on
the bround.
Inner City
Press asked
for another
question but
was told no,
to ask on May
15. Watch this
site.
After
the May 14
stakeout, Loj
told a story
about UN staff
in Liberia
telling her
all about
Inner City
Press, which
after time she
associated
with her time
on the UN
Security
Council. She
has seen the
UN from that
position and
now two
countries.
, 
