The South Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, on Monday, said it regretted incidents involving diplomatic premises and vehicles that occurred during the annual end-of-year security search in Juba on Friday, 20 December 2024.
According to several diplomatic sources who spoke to Radio Tamazuj on condition of anonymity, elements from the Presidential Guard, also known as the Tiger Division, raided several diplomatic premises and forcefully demanded to be let in to search for firearms and conduct security sweeps, disregarding and violating diplomatic norms and breaching Geneva Conventions. The soldiers also stopped and forcefully searched several diplomatic vehicles.
The presidential guard soldiers also disarmed, arrested, and drove away with Diplomatic Police Guards (DPU) from several diplomatic compounds.
Another diplomat intimated that several foreign missions are penning a joint diplomatic protest note to send to the South Sudan Foreign Ministry.
A Monday press statement by the foreign ministry which was seen by this publication, and likely due to the diplomatic spats that ensued, said the incidents were regrettable.
“These regrettable and isolated incidents were due to oversight and have been addressed expeditiously by the respective authorities,” the statement reads in part. “We wish to reaffirm that our security forces operate under clear and well-established directives that strictly prohibit the search of diplomatic premises and vehicles, in full compliance with the diplomatic immunities and privileges as outlined by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961).”
“The Ministry remains fully committed to monitoring this situation closely, ensuring the safety and security of all diplomatic personnel, premises, and vehicles, and upholding the principles governing diplomatic relations and practices,” the statement added.