South Sudan has decided to expel the world body's top humanitarian official based in the conflict-torn nation, according to the UN, which called on the government to immediately reverse its decision.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the move by the Juba government to expel the UK's Toby Lanzer, deputy head of the UN Mission in South Sudan as well as its humanitarian coordinator, the UN said in a statement.
"The Secretary-General calls on the government of South Sudan to reverse its decision immediately," the statement said.
"He further urges the government to cooperate fully with all United Nations entities present in South Sudan."
The statement said Lanzer has been "instrumental in addressing the increasing humanitarian needs of conflict-affected communities in the country, and ensuring that life-saving humanitarian assistance reaches the most vulnerable."
Lanzer's term was due to end shortly and the UN announced on Friday that his replacement will be Eugene Owusu of Ghana.
South Sudan's UN mission has not yet provided an explanation about Lanzer's expulsion, according to the Reuters news agency.
Lanzer is quite active on Twitter, where he often posts messages about the dire situation in the country to his nearly 12,000 followers.
Over 40 percent of South Sudan's 11 million people need food aid, according to figures from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification.
Forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and rebels allied with former Vice President Riek Machar have been fighting for nearly 18 months in the world's newest state, which seceded from Sudan in 2011.
Several ceasefires have been agreed but broken.
The UN Security Council has threatened to blacklist anyone undermining security or interfering with the peace process in South Sudan, but it has not yet imposed worldwide travel bans and asset freezes on any officials in the country.
Source: Reuters
Newer articles:
- South Sudan says won’t reverse plan to expel U.N. official - 02/06/2015 09:07
- Sudan likely to have armed S.Sudan rebels by air: report - 02/06/2015 03:00
- South Sudan swirls toward chaos - 01/06/2015 19:07
- 'Lost Boy' finds water for South Sudan - 01/06/2015 18:55
- South Sudan conflict: UN condemns expulsion of Toby Lanzer - 01/06/2015 17:11
Older news items
- South Sudanese dissident politicians return home from Kenya, raising hope for peace - 01/06/2015 12:50
- Millions at risk of starvation in South Sudan - 30/05/2015 18:29
- UN officials call for international engagement to de-escalate country's conflict - 30/05/2015 09:15
- South Sudan political solution a must: Top UN peacekeeper - 30/05/2015 00:05
- Peacekeeper, South Sudanese IDPs Wounded in UN Camp Shooting - 29/05/2015 15:54
Latest news items (all categories):
- South Sudan needs ‘civic education’ before elections, says bishop - 16/01/2025 16:42
- South Sudan parties set to resume peace talks in Kenya - 16/01/2025 16:39
- Abandoned but not forgotten – the invisible crisis in South Sudan - 16/01/2025 16:35
- The SAF has committed barbaric atrocities against South Sudanese refugees in Wad Medani - 16/01/2025 16:27
- Syria 2025: The historical Syrian project: From revolution to a modern inclusive civil state - 16/01/2025 16:10
Random articles (all categories):
- Nakasongola Church faults Speaker Kumba for grabbing disputed land - 24/07/2023 06:08
- South Sudan expels Chinese oil firm boss - 27/02/2012 15:35
- South Sudan has been struck by famine. This is how a Christian charity is helping - 15/05/2017 09:14
- South Sudan: South Sudan Conflict Reverses Progress On Food Security - 08/03/2014 12:38
- World Food Program Cuts off Food Aid to South Sudan - 15/06/2022 09:56
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 61671 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 22306 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 21492 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 19060 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 18794 times