In S.
Sudan, UN
Won't Count
Wau Dead Nor
Explain
Selective
Spin, Granular
By Matthew
Russell Lee,
Follow Up on
Exclusive
UNITED
NATIONS, July
7 -- In the
UN's continued
withholding of
news and
answers about
South Sudan,
the reports of
the UN's own
knowledge of
abuses are now
being withheld
from its own
impacted
national
staff.
So Inner City
Press has
published
below multiple
leaked
documents from
inside UNMISS
and from
non-governmental
organizations
- and compares
them to
contradictory
official
statements by
the UN.
The UN has
responded by
evicting Inner
City Press
from its
long-time
shared office
in the UN on
April 16, video here and here
(Periscope).
Inner City
Press:
you’d read now
this statement
about Wau, but
there’s still
no UN estimate
of the people
killed.
There’s still
these
divergent…
does the UN
intend to
actually come
up with the
figure?
Are they
investigating
what happened?
Spokesman:
Obviously, the
UN is looking
into it.
The mission is
looking into
it. As
we said, the
SRSG herself
is going, and
as soon as we
have something
to share, we
will do so.
Inner City
Press:
Is the UN
bringing media
to Wau?
And if so, how
do they decide
which ones?
Spokesman:
Matthew, I
think you can
call the
mission and
find
out. I’m
really not
going to get
into the
granularity of
what our
colleagues do
and how they
do it.
Inner City
Press:
Right, but, as
an overall
policy, I
guess I’m
saying enough
time has gone
by that the
UN’s failure
to come up
with an
estimate of
casualties,
which it does
even in
countries
where it
doesn’t
have…
[inaudible]
Spokesman:
Matthew, the
UN facilitates
media in
peacekeeping
operations and
they will… and
as our
colleagues in
South Sudan
do. As
for this
particular
trip, that’s a
phone call you
need to make
to the
mission.
[inaudible]
Question:
Sure… I’m
asking but the
number of
people killed
and why…
[inaudible]
Inner City
Press:
And I’ve told
you… I’ve told
you, I have
not gotten
that
information
from the
mission.
As soon as I
get
information, I
try to bring
it up here.
That's
debatable. The
UN's most
recent
Department of
Safety and
Security
situation
report covers
up what other
sources say
was the
targeted
assassination
of an SPLA-IO
soldier, in
point 3 (we
publish in
full):
“CENTRAL
EQUATORIA
1.
Crime –
Assault: On 05
July at about
15:30 hours in
Juba, UN
military
engineer
personnel
carrying out
repair works
at PoC 1 and
PoC 3 of the
UN House were
pelted with
stones by a
group of IDPs
who became
violent
towards the
military
engineers. The
IDP’s action
is believed to
be because of
their
dissatisfaction
with the
condition of
that portion
of the PoC
following
recent heavy
rains. No
injury was
reported.
2.
Crime –
Shooting:
On 05 July at
about 11:00
hours in Juba,
an RPG was
reportedly
fired in the
Dar El Salam
market under
unknown
circumstances.
The resultant
explosion is
said to have
injured five
civilians.
3.
Crime –
Shooting:
On 05 July at
about 10:30
hours in Juba,
UN military
personnel on
patrol
reported a
shooting
incident near
the NISS HQ on
Jebel
Road.
The report
indicated that
an SPLA
soldier who
appeared to
have been shot
was taken away
from the scene
by other Host
Government
security
personnel. The
body of a
deceased SPLA
–IO was
reportedly
later
discovered in
the same
general area.
It could
however not be
ascertained if
this was the
same person
earlier taken
away by HG
security
personnel
neither could
it be
confirmed if
the cause of
death
was as a
result of
gunshots.
4.
Crime –
Assault:
On 04 July at
about 14:50
hours in Juba,
a group of
unknown
persons
blocked a UN
contracted
water truck
near the
western gate
of the PoC
site and
demanded the
release of a
number of
motorcycles
that had been
seized by
UNPOL on 02
July when they
were illegally
brought into
the PoC. The
agitators left
upon sighting
UNPOL/FPU.
Later that day
at about 15:35
hours, UNPOL
personnel were
stoned at the
PoC access
gate by seven
unidentified
persons who
also demanded
the release of
the seized
motorcycles.
5.
Civil Unrest –
Peaceful
Demonstration:
On 05 July at
about 15:00
hours in the
UN House PoC
site in Juba,
about 30 women
and 40
children
staged a
peaceful
protest over
food shortages
during the
recent food
distributions.
UNPOL and FPU
were on
standby during
the peaceful
protest.”
On June 21, UN
DSS issued and
Inner City
Press has
obtained and
exclusively
publishes the
below advisory
about South
Sudan - well,
Juba - which
contrasts to
DSS officials'
behavior, for
example in New
York where on
February 19
they pushed
Inner City
Press into the
street
(apparently
ordered to do
so by DPI's
Cristina
Gallach), on
March 10 ordered
it out of the
UN
contrary to
published
rules, and
since then
have harassed
the Press even
when it has a
minder.
Inner City
Press asked
Ban Ki-moon's
spokesman
Stephane
Dujarric about
it, UN
transcript
here:
Inner City
Press:
In South
Sudan, there’s
a leaked
e-mail by the
DSS
[Department of
Safety and
Security] of
South Sudan.
Spokesman:
That’s a
surprise.
Inner City
Press:
Yeah.
The reason I
want to ask
you is it
seems to
implicate… it
might even be
related to the
thing you just
said.
But what I’ll
ask you about…
It tells UN
staff that
they should
not… that
there may be a
strike by
judges and
teachers in
South Sudan
and that
during this
time of
uncertainty,
they should
not show their
ID cards while
they’re in
town, and they
should not
give over
their driving
permits to the
authorities if
requested.
So I wanted to
know, I mean,
maybe it’s a
smart thing to
suggest, but
given host
country
agreements, is
it… is it the
norm for UN
officials, UN
personnel, to
not show their
UN ID cards or
to not turn
them over to
authorities…?
Spokesman:
I don’t know
if it’s the
norm or what’s
the
norm.
And again, I
have no clue
as to know the
validity of
the e-mail
you’re
referring
to. What
is clear is
DSS has a
responsibility
to ensure that
our staff is
kept safe, and
so…
Inner City
Press: I
wanted to ask
you here
whether
security has a
duty to give
their names.
Spokesman:
I don’t think
that… that’s
two different
issues.
But here's
what DSS says
about South
Sudan - note
that is says
don't show
your ID card
(in UNHQ, DSS
officers
refuses to
tell Inner
City Press
their names,
Ban's
spokespeople
refused to
clarify) and
don't give
over ID to
authrities
(with Inner
City Press on
February 19,
they tore the
ID off) --
"There are
unconfirmed
reports of the
possibility of
Judges and
teachers in
Juba going on
strike today.
UNDSS is
monitoring the
security
situation in
Juba in
general and
the Mudria
area in
particular
which is
likely to be
affected
should the
strike take
place. Staff
traveling to
Mudria area
should
exercise
caution and
avoid areas of
large
gatherings.
An advisory
will be issued
should the
security
situation
change. In the
meantime staff
members are
advised to
monitor their
radios for
further
updates.
Any staff
member who
notices any
incident
should inform
UNDSS duty
officer on
[REDACTED by
Inner City
Press] or by
radio JS Base.
There has been
an increase in
criminal
activities
throughout
South Sudan in
general and
Juba in
particular.
Shops, hotels,
compounds of
international
organizations
and in some
cases
individuals
have mostly
been targeted.
There have
been multiple
instances of
armed
robberies of
convoys
carrying
humanitarian
goods on some
of the major
roads and at
INGO
compounds.
In some cases
the robberies
have been
violent in
nature.
There is also
an increase in
the number of
roadblocks
during the
hours of
darkness. In
Juba, there
are instances
of vehicles
being stopped
by groups or
individuals
who then
demand money
from the
occupants
before being
allowed to
proceed.
Incidents of
this type
against
UN/NGOs as
well as local
citizens are
becoming
recurrent both
in Juba and
other parts of
the
country.
There is a
likelihood of
further
upsurge in
criminal
activities due
to the current
economic
situation.
To ensure
staff safety,
the following
are advised:
1.
Observe
traffic
regulations to
reduce the
likelihood of
being stopped
at the road
block and
traffic
intersections:
a.
Always wear
seatbelts.
b.
Avoid the use
of mobile
phone while
driving.
c.
Avoid stopping
in pedestrian
crossing or
driving on the
wrong lane.
d.
Adhere to
traffic
lights.
e.
If you can,
avoid driving
when the
traffic light
is blinking
Yellow
2.
Avoid
travelling
alone.
3.
Do not display
your ID cards
visibly while
in town.
4.
Do not carry
large amount
of money while
going to town
unless
absolutely
necessary.
5.
Reduce night
movement as
much as
possible.
6.
Do not pay
bribes or
fines – Report
all incidents
to SIOC Duty
Officer or
ERT.
7.
Do not readily
handover your
driving
permit. If
forced to hand
over, ensure
to ask the
police officer
which police
station is
responsible in
order enable
UNDSS to
follow-up.”
Spokesman
Dujarric said
he didn't know
anything. Back
on April 26
Dujarric was
later cc-ed on
this response
to Inner City
Press:
"Regarding
your question
on Bentiu
today:
On 25 April,
at around 8:40
pm, unknown
armed men
fired small
arms in the
vicinity of
the United
Nations
Mission in
South Sudan
(UNMISS) base
in Bentiu. Two
Rocket
Propelled
Grenades (RPG)
were then
fired towards
the UNMISS
base, and one
of them landed
outside the
UNMISS
compound, with
another RPG
inside the
base damaging
a prefab
structure
inside the
humanitarian
hub. The
UNMISS Force
responded
effectively
and prevented
further
shooting
towards the
vicinity of
the UNMISS
base. The
incident
lasted around
30 minutes. No
one was
injured.
The United
Nations Mine
Action Service
(UNMAS) teams
surveyed the
suspected area
for unexploded
ordinance and
declared the
area
safe.
All staff
resumed normal
business this
morning.
UNMISS
reiterates its
call for all
parties to
respect the
inviolability
of all UN
assets and
premises. The
Head of the
Field Office
is in contact
with local
authorities in
order to carry
out an
investigation
into the
incident."
But on
April 28,
after a UNMISS
statement,
Inner City
Press asked
Dujarric, UN
transcript
here:
Inner City
Press: I've
seen the
statement from
UNMISS about
the incident
three days ago
of an RPG
falling into
the Bentiu
camp, and you
called it a
preliminary
investigation.
So, there were
reports of… of
Dinka, SPLA
[Sudan
People’s
Liberation
Army] in
Government and
Johnson
Olony's
in-opposition
forces
fighting near
there.
Is there… did
this
investigation
by the UN
involve trying
to figure out
who fired the
RPG
[rocket-propelled
grenade] at
the UN?
Spokesman:
Well,
obviously,
they're
limited in the
way they can
investigate
exactly who
fired the
RPG.
They're trying
to gather as
much
information as
possible.
Inner City
Press:
But, they are
going to try
to determine…?
Spokesman:
They're trying
to gather as
much
information as
possible.
Inner City
Press:
on South
Sudan, I just
wanted to ask
you, in terms
of Riek Machar
coming back, I
wanted to ask
you… and
again, you may
say you can't
confirm this…
there's a UN
e-mail that
was sent out
to all UN
staff in South
Sudan. I
can tell you
it's
057-SB-2204-2016,
and it says
that for Riek
Machar's
arrival, that
IDPs
[internally
displaced
persons] in
the Protection
of Civilian
(POC) camps
will not be
allowed to
leave, that
POC 1 and 3
remain
closed.
So, I wanted
to ask you,
how is it
appropriate
for the UN to
essentially
lock in camps,
civilians,
some of whom
are supporters
of Riek
Machar, when
he returns in
what's
described as a
peace move…?
Spokesman:
I think
you're… again,
it would be
helpful if you
asked
whoever's
sending you
these e-mails
to copy me on
it so at least
we get on the
same page.
Inner City
Press:
You're copied
on some
things, but I
never get an
answer.
Spokesman:
I will assume,
which I don't
like to do,
that you're
getting
security
updates.
I think it is
the role of
the UN to
ensure that
there is no
violence, and
there's no
trouble for
the return of
Mr.
Machar.
And they will
take and give
advice and
take the steps
that are
necessary.
Inner City
Press:
Can people be
locked into
the POC camps
if they're
nonviolent
supporters of
Riek Machar?
Spokesman:
I think the
issue is that
we're dealing
with a very
volatile
situation.
And we try to
take the
measures we
can to avoid
any sort of
civilian
deaths or
injuries.
On
April 23 for
the
still-delayed
return of Riek
Machar, a UN
leak to Inner
City Press
reflects a
decision to
keep
Internally
Displaced
People (IDPs)
who sought
shelter in the
UN's
“Protection of
Civilians”
sites LOCKED
in those sites
during
Machar's
return - a
taking of
sides, some
say, while the
UN Department
of Safety and
Security
refuses to
answer local
questions but
instead
prepares
for... a
Saturday
barbecue.
None of
this is
mentioned in
the US' Sunday
night
criticism,
which says
among other
things that
"Yesterday,
the government
denied landing
permission to
flights for
the return of
opposition
leader Riek
Machar....Despite
the best
efforts by
South Sudan’s
neighbors, the
Troika, United
Nations
Mission in
South Sudan,
China, the
African Union,
the European
Union and,
most
importantly,
by South
Sudanese
advocating for
peace, leaders
on both sides
have blocked
progress."
Regarding
China, Inner
City Press has
previously
reported on -
and from - the
Beijing Juba
hotel. That
is, beofre
that UN
Secretariat
started
targeting it
for its
reporting.
The document
leaked
exclusively to
Inner City
Press:
“UN
CONFIDENTIAL
Ref:
057/SB/22/04/2016
UN personnel
are to take
note of the
following
Movement
Restrictions
for tomorrow
(23 April)
only:
Juba city is
declared GREY
Alert Status
as of 10:00
onward until
further
notice:
Movement of
ONLY Program
Criticality
(PC) 1&2
staff is
advised.
UN personnel
are advised to
avoid movement
on routes in
the immediate
vicinity of
the
Presidential
Palace,
Ministries
Road and up to
John Garang
Mausoleum. The
Juba
International
Airport (JIA)
and the
general area
are declared
WHITE Alert
Status (PC1
and only if
cleared by
program
managers).
POC1 and 3
remain closed.
(IDPs will not
leave the
POC).
The movement
restrictions
contained in
this advisory
will be
reviewed COB
Saturday, 23
April 2016
All staff are
to comply.”
When Forest
Whitaker spoke
at the UN
about the
Sustainable
Development
Goals in April
19 he
mentioned his
work in South
Sudan, and
Inner City
Press followed
up.
Inner
City Press
asked
Whitaker, a
Goodwill
Ambassador for
UNESCO, what
he thought of
the UN's
performance in
Malakal, where
SPLA soldiers
- or those
dressed like
them - killed
people in the
UN's
"Protection of
Civilians"
site.
Inner
City Press
also asked
about the UN
bribery
scandal
including Ng
Lap Seng used
entities like
South South
News to buy
entry into the
UN, for
example after
SSN gave money
to the UN
Correspondents
Association
getting a
photo op with
Ban at the
UNCA Ball. Video of Q&A here.
Whitaker
answered on
South Sudan,
giving a shout
out to aid
workers and
his staff
there, saying
it is
complicated
there, "We are
waiting for
Riek Machar to
return to
Juba," see
below.
The UN
corruption, or
really Panama
Paprs,
question was
answered by UN
DESA's Thomas
Gass, who said
now is the
time to
implement the
SDGs.
On
April 18, the
UN internally
reported on,
but did not
publicly
complain
about, an SPLA
raid on
"Australia
House," see
below.
On April
19, Inner City
Press asked UN
spokesman
Stephane
Dujarric about
it, UN
transcript
here.
Later
on April 19,
after a closed
door briefing
from the UN's
Herve Ladsous
- who spoke
only in French
on his way in
- the Security
Council agreed
to "Press
Elements;" it
was UNclear if
either Machar
or Salva Kiir
would be
listening.
From leak
exclusively to
Inner City
Press:
"Summary of
security
developments
during the
course of the
day for your
information.
Juba
City
Following
the
anticipated
arrival of Dr.
Riek Machar to
Juba and the
safety and
security
measures
adopted by DO
and UN
security
management,
the following
observations
were made;
Activities
and movements
in Juba this
morning was
normal,
however there
was buildup of
HG security
forces
including the
erection of
road blocks in
and around the
airport area,
Presidential
Palace and
Ministries
Road. The main
road to the
airport was
cordoned just
after the
traffic
lights.
Vehicles were
not allowed in
or out of the
airport
area. As
a result
inbound and
outbound
passengers had
to walk all
the way to and
from the
airport.
Commercial
flights at the
airport
operated as
normal.
Movements and
activities in
Juba remained
normal even
after the news
that Dr. Riek
Machar’s
arrival has
been
postponed.
·
At about 11:06
hours, about
20 armed SPLA
soldiers
stormed the
‘Australian
House’ along
the airport
road in Juba
town. This
followed the
sighting by
SPLA of two
Australian
military
liaison
officers
monitoring the
situation at
the Juba
Airport using
binoculars.
The Australian
officers’
binoculars and
Tetra radios
were
confiscated by
the SPLA. The
two radios
have been
deactivated by
CITS. UN
security is
following up.
Note:
The security
posture
adopted by HG
today in terms
of presence
and road
closures are
likely to be
in place
tomorrow.
POC
The
security
situation in
both POCs was
generally
quiet. The
main gates of
the POCs were
opened at
06:00 hours as
usual to allow
IDPs exit and
entry into
both POC
sites.
At about 09:30
hours, an IDP
cultural group
sang and
danced around
POC 3 through
both gates.
The dancers
made
occasional
stops but
continued.
They were
cheered by
other IDPS who
also joined
in. This was a
peaceful dance
procession. At
about 11: 45
hours,
following
information
received from
UNPOL, both
PoC gates were
closed except
for incoming
IDPs.At about
12:45 hours,
four SPLA
Soldiers in
military
uniforms and
armed with AK
47 were seen
peeping from a
distance
approximately
200m from the
pedestrian
gate of POC
3.
ETHBATT
responded and
the SPLA left.
Some IDPs who
wanted to go
out of the PoC
3 around 14:20
hours could
not because of
the continued
closure of the
gates.
UN House
and Tomping
·
The situation
at the main,
eastern and
western gates
of the UN
House was
normal.
The same
situation
applied to
Tomping. No
gathering was
observed at
both
locations.”
On
April 17, the
day after the
UN evicted it,
Inner City
Press
exclusively
published the
UN's internal
warning / note
to staff about
Machar's
return, below.
Contrast it to
Ban more
officially
saying, "The
Secretary-General...
spoke to the
First Vice
President
Designate of
the Republic
of South
Sudan, Riek
Machar. He
welcomed his
decision to
return to Juba
and urged him
to work with
President Kiir
to prevent any
further
violence."
And contrast
it to UNMISS'
air-brushed
Situation
Report,
production of
which was
suspended
after Inner
City Press
published the
leaks, then
that it was no
longer being
circulated to
the UN's
national
staff, to whom
the UN
presumably
owes at least
some duty:
"“CENTRAL
EQUATORIA
1.
On 16 April at
about 16:15
hours in Juba
POC3
pedestrian
gate, group of
IDPs
representing
the Community
Watch Group
attempted to
arrest a
Warrior
Security guard
on duty on the
allegation
that the guard
is an active
member of the
South Sudan
National
Intelligence
and Security
Service
(NISS). UN
Security
interfered and
defused the
tense
situation. The
case is under
investigation.
UNITY
2.
On 16 April at
about 10:30
hours in
Bentiu,
UNPOL/FPU
apprehended
three (03)
IDPs in the
PoC site in
possession of
fourteen iron
poles
suspected to
be UN
property. The
stolen items
were recovered
and the
suspects were
handed over to
the leader of
the Community
Watch Group
for further
action.
3.
On 16 April at
about 08:30
hours in
Bentiu, three
(03) IDPs were
apprehended by
UNPOL/FPFU at
the PoC site.
The suspects
were alleged
to have stolen
materials for
a public
toilet in the
PoC site.
UNPOL/FPU
conducted a
search and
recovered the
stolen items
and handed it
over to the
concerned INGO
while the
criminals were
handed over to
the Community
Watch Group
for further
actions.
NORTHERN BAHR
EL GHAZAL
4.
On 16 April at
about 10:15
hours in
Aweil, an
outbreak of
electrical
fire occurred
in the office
of the UNMISS
Field
Integrated
Operation
Centre (FIOC).
The fire was
successfully
extinguished
by the
Aviation fire
officer.
Nobody was
injured and
the fire
caused minor
damage to the
office.
WESTERN BAHR
EL GHAZAL
5.
On 16 April at
about 10:10
hours in Wau,
an UNMISS MLO
while driving
a UN vehicle
at the market
area
accidentally
hit an alleged
slightly blind
local
pedestrian
juvenile. The
victim
sustained
minor injury
and was
admitted at a
local hospital
in Wau. UN
Security and
Military
Police
responded to
the scene and
secured the
release of the
UN driver but
the UN vehicle
was detained
by the local
police for
further
investigation."
Here's
the UN's
earlier (April
18) internal
memo:
"Following the
anticipated
arrival of Dr.
Riek Machar in
Juba and the
associated
activities, UN
personnel are
advised to
observe/adhere
to the
following risk
management
measures/guidance:
Movement
Restriction
for 18 April
2016 Only:
·
Juba city is
declared GREY
Alert Status:
Movement of
Program
Criticality
(PC) 1&2
international
and national
staff and
support staff
to workplace
must be
concluded by
09:00 hours.
Program
Managers are
to determine
the PC
category of
their staff.
·
Therefore, no
movement in
the city
beyond 09:00
until UN
Security
advises when
staff may
commence
movement in
the city.
·
The UN
Tomping main
gate will be
opened until
08:30 hours
thereafter all
movements will
be through the
Western gate.
·
UN personnel
are advised to
avoid movement
on routes in
the immediate
vicinity of
the
Presidential
Palace,
Ministries
Road and up to
John Garang
Mausoleum.
·
The Juba
International
Airport (JIA)
and the
general area
are declared
WHITE Alert
Status (PC1
and only if
cleared by
program
managers)
except for
staff members
arriving on
inbound
flights on
commercial
flights. Staff
departing
should
restrict their
travel to the
afternoon
fights.
·
The movement
restrictions
contained in
this advisory
will be
reviewed at
COB on Monday,
18 April 2016
in event it
has to be
extended.
Assembly
Areas:
·
All UN
compounds
serve as
Assembly
Areas.
·
All UN
international
staff residing
outside UN
premises who
feel unsafe
should
relocate to
their
designated
Assembly Areas
in a timely
manner.
Monitor the
security radio
broadcasts
throughout the
day/ night.
Concentration
Point:
·
Concentration
Points (CP)
are used when
staff members
are to be
evacuated out
of the
country. The
designated CP
for UN staff
members in
Juba are the
UN- Tomping
and the UN
House. That
will be on DO
instruction
only.
Staff
Residential
Details:
·
Staff members
who reside
outside UN
compounds and
who are yet to
send details/
coordinates of
their
residence to
UN Security
are advised to
immediately
send it to the
SIOC Duty
Officer before
15:00 hours on
Sunday, 17
April 2016.”
Watch this
site.
Back on
April 4, Inner
City Press
asked UN
Spokesman
Stephane
Dujarric about
the report,
and he had no
response on
journalists
saying UNMISS
dug into what
questions they
would ask.
From the
UN transcript:
Inner City
Press: I
wanted to ask
about South
Sudan.
It's
reported in
great detail
by Radio
Tamazuj that
there are
minders, that
minders are
assigned to
journalists
who seek to go
and cover
Malakal,
Bentiu and
other
Protection of
Civilians
sites.
And a number
of the
journalists
quoted
anonymously,
because they
feel
retaliation by
the UN, say
that they
believe that
the purpose of
the minders is
to undermine
their ability
to hear about
underperformance
by UNMISS
[United
Nations
Mission in
South Sudan]
and other
human rights
violations in
the
camps.
So, I wanted
to know, what
is the UN's
response to
that?
Spokesman
Dujarric:
Look, the UN
and the
Mission in
South Sudan
are working
over extremely
difficult
conditions,
caring for
more than
200,000
civilians, a
number of
Protection of
Civilians
sites.
Over the
years… over
the last two
years, we
facilitated
travel for
over 180
journalists to
various
Protection of
Civilians
sites around
the country, a
greater number
even in Juba
itself.
Travelling on
UN planes and
accessing UN
sites is done
according to
established
guidelines,
which take
into
consideration,
obviously,
security and
individual
considerations.
The guidelines
have been in
place since
this
particular
conflict
erupted.
I think if
journalists
have any
issues, they
should contact
the mission
there.
But, I know
they do their
best.
And you know,
we have some
responsibility
if journalists
come into the
site, it is a
UN site; we
have some
responsibility
to them.
Inner City
Press:
Have you read
the
article?
Because they
quoted
journalists…
Spokesman:
I've read the
article, and I
really have
nothing else
to say.
I can't speak
to anonymous
quotes.
But
Dujarric
follows
anonymous
UNCA-affiliated
Twitter
accounts
devoted to
attacking
Inner City
Press...
"According to
a UN document
produced as a
'guide' to
visiting
journalists,
UNMISS PIO
requires
information on
'the duration
and type of
visit' of any
journalist
seeking to
enter into a
protection
site. In
addition to
this,
according to a
second
journalist
interviewed by
Radio Tamazuj
who had
recently
visited one of
the protection
sites, the
UNMISS Public
Information
Office also
'demanded I
tell what I
was going to
be asking
about, because
any political
questions were
restricted.'
The journalist
noted that
they also
tried to
provide a
'minder' to
accompany him
during
interviews."
While
in South Sudan
Ladsous' DPKO
uses safety as
the pretext to
require
minders, no
such pretext
exists inside
UN
Headquarters.
But
nevertheless,
on March 24
covering
Western Sahara
Inner City
Press was told
it could only
do interviews
on the UN's
second floor
with a UN
minder.
On
March 31,
while other
correspondents
were permitted
to interview
US Deputy
Ambassador
David Pressman
about Ladsous'
DPKO's (and
Sangaris')
rapes in the
Central
African
Republic,
Inner City
Press was told
to leave the
gaggle due to
its
"Non-resident"
accreditation
cut by
Gallach.
Inner
City Press
directly told
Gallach about
the impact of
her no due
process order
on March 31, audio
here including
in fairness
her response;
she has done
nothing to
change it.
This is the
UN's "Public
Information"
chief? Why? See
here.
The UN
requiring
minders for
journalists is
disgusting.
They uses
security as
their figleaf
in South
Sudan, but
inside UN
Headquarters
it is straight
up censorship,
even amid or
really to
prevent Press
coverage of
the unfolding
UN bribery
scandal. We'll
have more on
this.
While
UN
Peacekeeping's
antipathy to
Inner City
Press has been
evidence since
2011-12 (under
Ladsous), now
in the
Department of
Political
Affairs there
is a inquiry
or witch hunt
into who
leaked the
Yemen envoy's
email to Inner
City Press.
Amid or
because of
this reporting
on what the UN
knows but
doesn't say,
on February 19
at the demand
of UN Under
Secretary
General for
Public
Information
Cristina
Gallach, Inner
City Press was
thrown out of
the UN. Audio
here;ongoing
petition here.
On March
28, Ban
Ki-moon's
personal
lawyer Miguel
de Serpa
Soares issued
an eviction
threat against
Inner City
Press; on
March 29, he
was listed as
one of only
three members
of a Task
Force
purporting to
clear Ban of
involvement in
the ongoing UN
corruption
scandal. We'll
have more on
this.
On
March 30,
Inner City
Press' sources
provided this
detailed
timeline and
specifics:
"The planned
movement of
1,370 SPLA-IO
soldiers to
Juba via
Malakal begun
yesterday with
the first
batch 40
soldiers. The
entire
exercise was
conducted in
three phases
as follows;
Phase 1: Move
IO soldiers
from Canal to
Malakal
airport.
Escorted was
provided by
SPLA. No
involvement of
UNMISS and
CTSAMM in this
phase.
Phase 2:
Processing the
soldiers for
air movement
to Juba.
Phase 3: Air
lift by UNMISS
aircraft to
Juba.
Phase 2
Details
The 40 SPLA
–IO soldiers
arrived at the
airport at
13:00 hrs. The
following
senior SPLA
and SPLA-IO
officers led
the escort
from Canal to
Malakal
airport:
Maj Gen John
Maluit
– SPLA LO
Maj Gen Samuel
Mayiik
– SPLA Acting
Div 2 Comd
Brig Gen
Makuol
Ajand
– SPLA Chief
Operations
Col Abraham
Komye
- SPLA
Brig Gen Peter
Pur Nienkel –
SPLA-IO
The senior
officers were
at the airport
throughout the
process. The
Deputy
Governor was
also at the
airport to
welcome and
bid troops
farewell to
Juba.
CTSAMM carried
out the
process of
verification,
clearing
weapons and
putting them
in boxes.
UNDSS –
prepared
weapon
manifest,
manual luggage
search and
body
screening.
UNDSS also
served as a
point of
contact
between escort
team and
UNMISS team at
the airport.
Break down of
details as
follows:
Number of
soldiers
– 40
No. of
weapons
– 33 AK 47
No.
pistol
- 01
No. of ammo
(7.62 x 39 mm)
– 6,754 rounds
Ammo for
pistol
(9mm)
– 28 rounds
The exercise
ended without
any incident
at 15:30 hrs.
The aircraft
departed
Malakal at
16:00 hrs for
Juba.
The movement
is expected to
run daily from
28 Mar to 7
Apr 16 except
2 and 3 Apr 16
(given Juba
airport’s
closed at
weekends)."
On the
"unrest" in
the UN's Juba
camp, Inner
City Press has
these reports
from its
sources:
"The IDPs told
the
guards
don't treat us
like
animals.
We need water
and food... UN
is very
nervous, and
it’s very
clear to all
they didn't
know what to
do or how to
handle
situation
which is still
tense and
growing.
UNMISS and
some UN organs
are fearing
leaks of info
now as it’ll
again put them
in 'bad
light.'
Accepting
they’re trying
to suppress
info, it’s a
bit late as
international
banks passed
word and it
was all over
Nairobi and
Kampala news
this am just
after weekly
Church
services
concluded and
now in
regional
media."
And, internal
UNMISS:
"At around
11:30hrs
fighting broke
out between
IDP
communities in
POC 1 at the
UN House in
Juba. FPU and
CHINBATT were
deployed to
control the
situation.
Around 1800hrs
the situation
flared up
again
resulting in
about 200 IDPs
moving into
the UN House
compound
specifically
around the
staff
accommodation
areas.
Additional
troops were
deployed to
patrol the
staff
accommodation
area to ensure
staff safety
and
control the
movement of
the IDPs.
Currently the
IDPs have
refused to go
to PoC 3 and
are being kept
at the
humanitarian
gate under
force
protection.
Advisory:
GREY ALERT
Status have
been declared
in the
affected
areas,
especially at
the
Humanitarian
Gate and
PoC1.
Staff are
advised to
restrict
movement to
the affected
areas until
further
notice.”
SRSG Loj
needed to have
Chinese armed
guards
surrounding
her compound.
Their lack of
reporting into
public
mainstream is
one thing, but
they’re unable
to hide the
reality within
their internal
sit reps given
after 18.00
hrs (LT) there
are
effectively no
go zones that
the UN doesn’t
monitor due to
armed groups
of SPLA-IG (in
civilian
clothes etc)
One of
those behind
the ouster of
Inner City
Press - and
laughing and
filming it on
February 19 -
was Voice of
America, which
tried in 2012
to get Inner
City Press out of the
UN by writing
to UN
Spokesman
Stephane
Dujarric,
here. In
2016 the same
VOA scribes
has become an
anonymous
troll,
defending UN
corruption and
ouster. Is BBG
in on this? US
tax dollars at
work.
Ironically,
today Voice of
America
reports
inaccurately
from South
Sudan that the
SPLA - IO is
to have 3,000
troops in
Juba. VOA
error here.
But the number
is under 2,000
-- VOA is
apparently
conflating
police that
are to go
elsewhere in
the country.
In any event,
the cantonment
sites have yet
to be built;
one proposal,
near Juba,
would put them
in the direct
line of fire
of the SPLG -
IG. We'll have
more on this.
Inner City
Press' UN Pass
was
confiscated
and its files
seized.
Questions sent
to Gallach and
Secretary
General Ban
Ki-moon's
spokesman
Stephane
Dujarric have
still
not been
answered. A
new ouster
occurred on
March 10, video here.
Nevertheless,
and pending
reversal of
Gallach's no
due process
order, Inner
City Press
continues with
its exclusive
reporting,
this time from
Akobo in
Jonglei State,
on which the
UN is silent.
Inner City
Press early on
the morning of
on March 14
exclusively
published an
NGO email
about problems
in Akobo, then
asked UN
Spokesman
Stephane
Dujarric about
it. UN
transcript:
Inner City
Press: an
email among
NGOs there
that in Akobo
in Jonglei
State, there
had been an
800 per cent
increase in
revenge
killings and
that several
NGO staff have
gone into
hiding but
haven't seen
anything from
UNMISS [United
Nations
Mission in
South Sudan]
about
this.
And I'm
wondering,
what is… I
understand, I
guess, UNMISS
doesn't report
on some of the
fighting,
deferring to
some website
you've cited,
but when
actually
humanitarian
workers are
as… as… as
frightened as
this email
shows, what is
UNMISS doing?
Spokesman
Dujarric:
Well, I'm
happy to look
into the
issue. I
have not
received any
reports from
UNMISS.
, 
