The United States government has denied rumors that it dispatched forces in South Sudan with hostile intent, saying it only needs a small number of troops to protect its embassy and not for any offensive purpose.
“The United States wants to reassure the people and the government of South Sudan that we are not planning, nor will plan, to target any government or military leaders; nor will we import special military equipment with the goal of destabilizing South Sudan. Any suggestion that the United States has done so or will do so is false, baseless, and not in the interest of peace in South Sudan,” reads a statement from the US Embassy in Juba.
The statement added that “the United States has no plan for offensive action in their country.”
“In order to keep the Embassy open, on July 12 a small contingent of U.S. military personnel deployed to Juba to assist the Embassy in temporarily bolstering its security and assisting with the departure of non-emergency personnel. The additional U.S. troops in Juba and those dispatched to neighboring countries are there only to protect the Embassy and American citizens who are leaving South Sudan because of the conflict.”
“Citizens of Juba can expect to see a rotation in military personnel during the week of July 18. This rotation of troops is to replace not reinforce the number of military personnel. All of the additional troops will return home when the need for additional security no longer exists,” the embassy advised.
The US has evacuated hundreds of its citizens and some of its staff from its embassy in Juba but the embassy itself says it remains open “so that we can continue to offer assistance to U.S. Citizens.” According to the statement, the US government will also seek to bring about a peaceful resolution to the crisis and continue aid programs.
File photo: US Ambassador to South Sudan Molly Phee