South Sudan’s presidency has rejected deployment of the regional protection force with the capacity to place Juba Airport under its mandate.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj yesterday, Ateny Wek Ateny, presidential spokesman, said South Sudan is a sovereign country and that its forces are able to protect the airport.

He stressed that the government will not accept to place Juba Airport under the regional protection force. “The government does want the airport to be protected, because our forces are able to protect the airport, so if the airport is placed under the regional protection force, we will not accept,” said Ateny.

President Kiir said on Thursday at the State House during the swearing in ceremony of the new governors that his government welcomes the deployment of regional forces but will not hand over the control of the airport to foreigners.

File photo: Ateny Wek Ateny speaking to reporters after receiving SPLM-IO defectors at Juba Airport (Radio Tamazuj)