Rumbek protesters want UNMISS chief to quit South Sudan

Hundreds of people in Rumbek on Tuesday marched to the compound of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) calling on its head Hilde Johnson to pack and leave the country.

Hundreds of people in Rumbek on Tuesday marched to the compound of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) calling on its head Hilde Johnson to pack and leave the country.

The demonstrators comprised of civil society groups, youths, women and political parties’ representatives shouted “go away we hate you Hilde Johnson,” Good News Radio reported.

Youths’ representative Cirilo Majok Thuch said South Sudanese love all foreigners, but were only against Hilde Johnson.

He accused Ms Johnson of abandoning the UNMISS mandate and taking side in the ongoing conflict in South Sudan.

UNMISS has called on South Sudanese to respect the neutrality of the mission. It says that its assets in Malakal, Akobo, Bor and elsewhere in the country have come under threat or under attack.

Frustrations with the UN peacekeepers and their chief were also expressed in the national capital during a march for peace on 8 January. Protesters then were seen entering the march carrying anti-UN banners not sanctioned by the march organizers.

“Hilde Johnson you are destroyer of our country leave the country for our security,” read one poster. Security agents initially challenged some of the protesters but in the end decided to let them express their view on the issue. 

Reporting by Good News Radio, Sudan Catholic Radio Network 

Photo: A protester at the national parliament in Juba, 8 January 2014 (Radio Tamazuj)