South Sudan To Probe Attack On U.N. Base In Jonglei State The South Sudan government has reaffirmed commitment to fully investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of the attack on the U.N base in the Jonglei state town of Akobo where two Indian battalion peacekeepers were killed. 22 December 2013
*JUBA, 22 December 2013 [Gurtong]- *South Sudan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, reaffirmed commitment to fully investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice incident. “The people of South Sudan deeply regret the irresponsible and cowardly act that has led to the loss of life of these great soldiers,” said the foreign minister during a memorial ceremony in Juba yesterday for the two Indian Battalion peacekeepers who died in the 19 December attack on the UNMISS base in the Jonglei state town of Akobo. “We extend our deep condolences to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Security Council and to the UN family as a whole.” The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for South Sudan, Hilde F. Johnson, paid tribute to Warrant Officers Dharmesh Sangwan and Kumar Pal Singh as “brave and courageous soldiers” and extended her condolences to the families and loved ones of the fallen peacekeepers. The SRSG cited the press statement of the Security Council, issued on 20 December, which condemned the attack in the strongest terms and called on the Government of South Sudan to swiftly investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice. “As a mission, we are inspired by the dedication shown by the Indian troops,” said Ms. Johnson, who laid wreaths on the coffins of the slain peacekeepers during the ceremony which was held at the Mission’s compound adjacent to Juba International Airport. “Had it not been for their bravery, the death toll at the (UNMISS base) could have been higher.” The SRSG asked UNMISS colleagues and other mourners to pray for the speedy recovery of Indian Battalion Warrant Officer Mondal Shabul, who was wounded during the attack on Thursday. Ms. Johnson also emphasized the resolve of the peacekeeping mission to carry out its mandate to support South Sudan and help protect its people. “This horrendous act…will not stop us from carrying out our work,” said the SRSG. “To anyone who wants to threaten us, attack us or put obstacles in our way, our message remains loud and clear: we will not be intimidated.” In April, five UNMISS Indian Battalion peacekeepers died in an ambush in the Jonglei county of Pibor, and the Indian Ambassador to South Sudan Parmod K. Bajaj called on the parties to the current crisis in the country to resolve their differences peacefully through negotiations. “In South Sudan, seven of our soldiers have laid down their lives during the performance of their duties,” said Ambassador Bajaj. “We are extremely proud and honoured by their ultimate sacrifice, (which) will not go in vain.” Posted in: Home<http://www.gurtong.net/ECM/Editorial/tabid/124/ctl/CategoryView/mid/519/categoryId/1/Home.aspx>, Foreign Relations<http://www.gurtong.net/ECM/Editorial/tabid/124/ctl/CategoryView/mid/519/categoryId/5/Foreign-Relations.aspx>, Governance<http://www.gurtong.net/ECM/Editorial/tabid/124/ctl/CategoryView/mid/519/categoryId/6/Governance.aspx> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/SouthSudanKob/CAJb14op_kd0aOqVo2w4vCTeiUO2nu%2BUAibPZV9rY0m9oij-7QQ%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
