Kenya Set to Withdraw its Troops from South Sudan
Kenya is set to withdraw its troops from South Sudan. This is after UN chief Ban Ki Moon fired Lieutenant General Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki, for failing to protect South Sudan citizens. Lieutenant Ondieki was the head of the peace keeping mission in South Sudan for six months.
The ministry of foreign affairs on Wednesday 2nd November 2016 released a statement stating that UN’s decision had targeted one individual instead of finding ways of addressing the shortcomings.
The UN chief Ban Ki Moon stated through the UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric , that he was alarmed by the serious shortcomings identified, which were evident in the missions failure to fully implement its mandate to protect civilians. Ban had established the inquiry to assess the response by the UN peacekeeping mission after several days of fighting in Juba between South Sudan President Salva Kiir’s troops and soldiers loyal to his rival Riek Machar.
United States ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec, has stated that the US is deeply concerned about Kenyans decision, noting that Kenya has played a critical role in helping restore peace and stability in South Sudan
President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday 3rd November defended Kenya’s decision to pull its troops in the war-torn country, adding that regional peace should not come at the expense of the country’s dignity, honor and pride. Kenya has over 1000 in South Sudan.
Lieutenant Ondieki was dismissed after special investigations indicated that UN peacekeepers had failed to rescue civilians who were attacked by soldiers in the capital Juba in July. Peacekeepers had failed to respond to pleas of help from id workers under attack just a kilometer away from the UN compound.
Rebecca Garang in an interview with KTN has criticized Kenyans decision stating that Kenya has over reacted. She further added that Kenya has played an important role in peace keeping in the country therefore it should not withdraw its troops.
