South Sudan 'deeply regrets' UN harassment

"The government is seriously committed to ending these violations. Orders have indeed been given toward that end and to hold those responsible accountable," Deng said, adding that the country's young army needed more training and "sensitization."

The United States approached South Sudan's UN mission last week and China made a similar complaint on behalf of the Security Council.

UN representative to South Sudan, Hilde Johnson, said she had warned the South Sudan cabinet over the incidents at a recent meeting.

"I expressed grave concern over this worrying trend," Johnson said. She added that President Kiir had "expressed dismay" over the harassment of UN and diplomatic staff.

She said the government had issued written orders to the Sudan People's Liberation Army and the police last week, which included a warning that off-duty security personnel should not wear uniforms nor carry guns.

The UN mission, UNMISS, has 7,600 troops and police in South Sudan, which broke away from Sudan after a two-decade-long civil war in which two million people died.

There have been a series of incidents involving the UN since South Sudan became independent in July 2011.

The government expelled a UN human rights investigator in October 2012 accusing her of writing "false" reports about army abuses.

Two months later, South Sudan's army shot down an UNMISS helicopter killing all four Russian crew on board.

• Politics & Government
• South Sudan
• United Nations

Source http://news.yahoo.com/south-sudan-deeply-regrets-un-harassment-203841274.html