A set of confidential United Nations documents regarding the attack on the Malakal PoC site in February detail the South Sudanese government’s involvement, and the inability of UNMISS to protect citizens.

The documents, obtained by Radio Tamazuj, are a summary of investigations given to the UN Security Council. The United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations has so far refused to give its full report to the Security Council, sources say.

On February 17th and 18th armed elements, some wearing SPLA uniforms, were observed entering the Malakal PoC site through a breached fence. The attackers began to burn sections of the PoC inhabited by Nuer and Shilluk IDP’s, the report reads.

“The scale of the violence in the PoC site on 17 and 18 February was a result of the involvement of external armed actors who used sophisticated weaponry, including tracer bullets and grenades, during the attacks,” the special investigation says. “As the SPLA was the only armed force operating in control of Malakal town, it is difficult to exonerate the local SPLA commanders and government-allied militia from involvement in the incident”

The report places responsibility for the attacks in part on the Eastern Nile political leadership. It says that the local government pursued a vigorous policy aimed at ensuring that the state would be exclusively for the Dinka ethnic group.  

“It is evident that, by way of forced displacement and relocation of ethnic minorities that have claims of land ownership, birth of habitation over the disputed area, the politico-military office holders would then be able to reflect Dinka numerical majority in the state” the report says. 

The report details an apparent rift between the governor of Eastern Nile, Chol Thon Balok, and the office of President Salva Kiir. 

A decree by Gov. Balok, Eastern Nile State Administrative Order No. 1, terminated contracts of Shilluk and Nuer civil servants, which added to tension in the area before the attack. The report also says that the governor stated that citizens of Shilluk and Nuer origin should leave Malakal town. 

“The Government of the Republic of South Sudan recognized the consequences of this administrative order and attempted to address it through a letter from the Presidency, dated 14 March, instructing the Governor to immediately rescind the administrative order” the report says. “There is no indication of the Governor complying with this Presidential directive”

A separate UN investigation into the response of UNMISS peacekeepers details how the organization failed to protect civilians. The report is in stark contrast with the initial statements of UNMISS, who said that peacekeepers responded quickly and effectively.

“There was confusion with respect to command and control and lack of coordination among the various civilians, military and police citrus in the UNMISS Field Office, especially at the time of the crisis,” the report says.

The investigation found that a lack of preparedness and a lack of proactive mind-set with regards to the protection of civilians contributed to the poor response.

Related:

UNMISS to be investigated over Malakal breach (Mar. 11)

Malakal attack: What UN knew vs what it said (May 11)