US plotting to destabilise S. Sudan - Juba
A row of numbered body bags with the remains of victims of the past days violence waiting to be collected by a South Sudanese team of the International Red Cross Committee on July 16, 2016 in Juba . AFP PHOTO
What you need to know:
Allegation. South Sudan accuses the US of plotting to further destabilise the country by targeting senior government officials.
KAMPALA/JUBA. South Sudan has accused the United States of plotting to further destabilise the war-torn country by reportedly targeting for elimination senior government officials believed to be impeding the implementation of the peace agreement.
Those on the hit list, according to Juba, include Army Chief Gen Paul Malong, Defence minister Kuol Manyang Juk, Gen Marial Chanuong, the commander of presidential guards and Information minister Michael Makuei Lueth. The names are in alleged CIA documents leaked and circulated by the media last week in Juba.
The leaked papers quoted the US intelligence chief, Mr Devlore Nelson, writing: “In order to achieve our desired goal in South Sudan, it has become necessary to effect the Operation Iron Shield...”
The US government has, however, denied the claims and reinforced that they remain committed to bringing about a peaceful resolution to the crisis involving forces loyal to South Sudan President Salva Kiir and those loyal to his deputy Dr Riek Machar.
A spokesperson for the US State Department Mr Mark Toner, said they do not plan to take any military action in South Sudan which plunged back into anarchy two weeks ago.
Mr Toner added they also do not intend to target any government or military leaders or import special military equipment with the goal of destabilising further the restive country.
“Those allegations are false and not in the interest of peace,” Mr Toner said in a statement issued last Sunday.
In the aftermath of recent fresh fighting in South Sudan, the US dispatched 47 troops to secure the embassy and help evacuate non-emergency personnel from the capital Juba.
Last Friday, US President Barack Obama announced deployment of up to 200 troops to the restive country to help protect citizens. The troops are initially stationed in Uganda and Djibouti. Mr Toner said the stationing of troops in the neighbouring countries aims at facilitating easy rotation of military personnel.
“This rotation of troops is to replace, not reinforce military personnel.”
Fresh fighting, according to UN sources has displaced more than 36,000 people internally, claimed more than 300 lives, forced about 100,000 people to flee to neighbouring countries while countries like Uganda, Kenya, US and Germany have been forced to evacuate their citizens.
Meanwhile, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development partner states in a meeting with South Sudan, also attended by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, AU chair Idriss Deby, South African President Jacob Zuma, Nigeria’s vice president Prof Yomi Osinbayo Gcon and Algerian Foreign Affairs minister Ramtane Lamamra condemned the targeting of diplomatic personnel, attacks on the UN compound and called for investigation into the recent violence with a view to apprehending those responsible.
The meeting also echoed recommendation of Mr Ban’s proposal to re-enforce the UN Mission in South Sudan and the deployment of a regional force to separate the warring factions, protect major installations and civilians as well as help pacify Juba.
US REACTS
US, however, denies the claims, saying they are committed to bringing about peace to the restive country and that they are not targeting any politicians in the world’s youngest nation.
