UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon sacks Major General Ondieki

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon sacks Major General Ondieki

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November 1, 2016
UN HQ, New York

UN commander KDF Lieutenant General Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki sacked in S. Sudan for failure to protect civilians
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday sacked the commander of the peacekeeping force in South Sudan following a damning report showing failure to protect civilians during recent violence in Juba.

The report from a UN special investigation found that a lack of leadership in the UN mission culminated in a "chaotic and ineffective response" during the heavy fighting in the capital from July 8 to 11.

Peacekeepers abandoned their posts and failed to respond to pleas for help from aid workers under attack in a nearby hotel, according to a summary of the report.

The UN mission known as UNMISS has 16,000 troops deployed in South Sudan, which has been at war since December 2013.

"The special investigation found that UNMISS did not respond effectively to the violence due to an overall lack of leadership, preparedness and integration among the various components of the mission," said UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric.

Chinese peacekeepers abandoned their positions at least twice and Nepalese peacekeepers failed to stop looting inside the UN compound, the enquiry found.

Ban said he was "deeply distressed by these findings" and "alarmed by the serious shortcomings identified by the special investigation".

The UN chief "has asked for the immediate replacement of the force commander", said Dujarric, adding that other measures would follow. Lieutenant General Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki of Kenya had been the force commander since May.

No response to screams

The fierce fighting in Juba involved helicopter gunships and tanks pitting President Salva Kiir's government forces against those loyal to ex-rebel chief Riek Machar.

Machar fled the capital during the violence that derailed international efforts to form a unity government and restore peace to South Sudan.

The investigation led by retired Dutch general Patrick Cammaert was unable to verify allegations that peacekeepers did nothing to help women who were raped near the UN base during the heavy fighting.

But in a later incident on September 2, a woman was assaulted near the entrance to a UN compound "in plain sight" of the peacekeepers, the report said.

"Despite the woman's screams, they did not react" and other UN staff intervened, it added. "Civilians were subjected to and witnessed gross human rights violations, including murder, intimidation, sexual violence and acts amounting to torture perpetrated by armed government soldiers.”

After the crisis, peacekeepers "continued to display a risk-averse posture unsuited to protecting civilians from sexual violence" and other attacks, said the report.

UNMISS soldiers refused to conduct foot patrols near UN bases and instead would "peer out from the tiny windows of armoured personnel carriers, an approach ill-suited to detecting perpetrators of sexual violence and engaging with communities to provide a sense of security".

Source: UN chief fires South Sudan peacekeeping commander - France 24

More Info.

Who is Lieutenant General Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki ?

June 17, 2016

UN appoints a Kenyan to head key South Sudan Command

New York -UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday announced the appointment of KDF (Kenya Defence Forces) Lieutenant General Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki of Kenya as Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) with effect from June 17, 2016 to replace Lieutenant General Yohannes Gebremeskel Tesfamariam of Ethiopia.

In a statement from New York, Mr Ban said he was confident that the 56 year old Lt- Gen Ondieki, who brings to the position more than 34 years of national and international military, command and staff experience, would play a pivotal role in search of peace as the head of mission in the troubled nation.

“Having served as Deputy Army Chief of Staff-Command and Control of Kenya Army Forces since 2013, Ondieki was previously General Officer Commanding Western Command, Kenya Army, from 2012 to 2013, and Land Forces Component Commander of the Kenya Defense Forces in Operations from 2011 to 2012,” read part of the statement.
Source: Secretary-General Appoints Lieutenant General Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki of Kenya Force Commander, United Nations Mission in South Sudan | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases
 
November 1, 2016
Juba, South Sudan

UN fired Kenyan General over civilian deaths in South Sudan

November 1, 2016 (SSNA) — The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday dismissed the commanding general of the UN peacekeepers after UN body tasked to investigate July attacks on civilian compound and a site which house UN staff concluded that bad leadership was the contributing factor.

“A lack of leadership on the part of key senior mission personnel culminated in a chaotic and ineffective response to the violence,” the report reads in part.

The dismissal of Kenya’s General, Lt. Gen. Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki, was announced by United Nations Spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

Lt-Gen-Johnson-Mogoaof-Kenya-1-300x125.jpg

Lt. Gen. Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki. Photo: UN

In the document, UN investigative body finds that government troops targeted civilians in a UN camp and its mission personnel in a place called UN House. The report also blames the leadership of peacekeeping mission for failing to take appropriate measures to protect civilians.

UN peacekeepers in South Sudan have in the past accused of not carrying out their duties.

General Johnson Mogoa was appointed in May to head the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Source: UN fired Kenyan General over civilian deaths in South Sudan - South Sudan News Agency
 
Geza Ulole said:
Ufalafala wa in Kenyan Police Ethiopia, KDF in Somalia umeenda Southern Sudan sasa!

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KDF Kills More Than 100 Al Shabaab Militants in Somalia

  • By Marikio Muchiri on Wed, 02 November 2016 - 2:50 pm @marikiomuchiry marikio@kenyans.co.ke
    commandos.jpg

    good work
    A joint military training exercise between the Kenya Defence Forces and the Royal Jordanian Armed Forces at Embakasi Garrison Facebook
 
If the chinies (a world power) peacekeepers withdrew atleast twice, then the problem goes beyond command or leadership, it means something was really wrong, like something above the leadership on the ground.....
Kenya has decided to withdraw its over 1,200 troops and withdraw from the south sudan peace process...... someone is really pissed off




Kenya has rejected the dismissal of Lt-Gen Johnson Ondieki as the Commander of the UN peacekeeping force in South Sudan and announced it was pulling out its contingent.
In a terse statement issued Wednesday evening, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the UN of acting without discussions with Nairobi in sacking the commander who only took the job in May.
“The process leading to this unfortunate decision not only lacked transparency but did not involve any formal consultation with the Government of Kenya. This demonstrates complete disregard of our key role and responsibility in South Sudan,” the Ministry said in a statement.
An investigation
On Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon sacked Lt-Gen Lt Gen Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki as the Commander of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) forces, after an investigation revealed he had failed to protect civilians during the violence in Juba in July.
But the Kenyan government disagreed, saying the responsibility to protect civilians could not be borne by an individual, given the complex nature of the conflict.
The decision irked Nairobi so much it has announced it will no longer contribute to South Sudan’s peace process and will be pulling out the 1,229 troops it sent to South Sudan under the UN, citing “disrespect” from the global agency.
A flexible position
Pulling out of the South Sudan peace process could be significant as Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta is the patron of the peace agreement signed last year between President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar. Indeed, most of the warring leaders live in Nairobi.
On Wednesday, it also emerged that a flexible position by South Sudan mediators to allow rebels to set their camp near a UN base in the country became the spark that cost the Kenyan commander his job.
But Lt-Gen Ondieki, who Wednesday travelled back to Nairobi to meet with President Kenyatta, may have been a victim of flawed structures both within the Mission itself and the power sharing arrangement that allowed Dr Machar to return to government.

Kenya rejects sacking of South Sudan peacekeepers boss
 
Kafrican said:
If the chinies (a world power) peacekeepers withdrew atleast twice, then the problem goes beyond command or leadership, it means something was really wrong, like something above the leadership on the ground.....
Kenya has decided to withdraw its over 1,200 troops and withdraw from the south sudan peace process...... someone is really pissed off




Kenya has rejected the dismissal of Lt-Gen Johnson Ondieki as the Commander of the UN peacekeeping force in South Sudan and announced it was pulling out its contingent.
In a terse statement issued Wednesday evening, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the UN of acting without discussions with Nairobi in sacking the commander who only took the job in May.
“The process leading to this unfortunate decision not only lacked transparency but did not involve any formal consultation with the Government of Kenya. This demonstrates complete disregard of our key role and responsibility in South Sudan,” the Ministry said in a statement.
An investigation
On Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon sacked Lt-Gen Lt Gen Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki as the Commander of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) forces, after an investigation revealed he had failed to protect civilians during the violence in Juba in July.
But the Kenyan government disagreed, saying the responsibility to protect civilians could not be borne by an individual, given the complex nature of the conflict.
The decision irked Nairobi so much it has announced it will no longer contribute to South Sudan’s peace process and will be pulling out the 1,229 troops it sent to South Sudan under the UN, citing “disrespect” from the global agency.
A flexible position
Pulling out of the South Sudan peace process could be significant as Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta is the patron of the peace agreement signed last year between President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar. Indeed, most of the warring leaders live in Nairobi.
On Wednesday, it also emerged that a flexible position by South Sudan mediators to allow rebels to set their camp near a UN base in the country became the spark that cost the Kenyan commander his job.
But Lt-Gen Ondieki, who Wednesday travelled back to Nairobi to meet with President Kenyatta, may have been a victim of flawed structures both within the Mission itself and the power sharing arrangement that allowed Dr Machar to return to government.

Kenya rejects sacking of South Sudan peacekeepers boss
Click to expand...
BTW Salva Kiir alishakataa ufalafala wa KDF! Probably TPDF wataitwa ku-take over!

Juba shopping for troops, rejects UN’s
unmiss-pic.jpg

United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) peacekeepers stand guard at an entrance to the Tongping UNMISS base in Juba. FILE PHOTO | FILE | AFP

IN SUMMARY

  • The EastAfrican has learned that Juba is seeking troops from Egypt and Tanzania, whom the leaders believe will be neutral as compared with frontline states like Ethiopia and Kenya that were supposed to provide the regional protection force.
  • South Sudan is facing an arms embargo and targeted sanctions, especially after the Sentry Report revealed that the top leadership of the youngest country in Africa have been looting it since the signing of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Nairobi.
  • The challenge now is that countries that would provide the troops are unwilling to risk the lives of their soldiers in a direct confrontation with South Sudanese troops.


South Sudan is shopping around for troops from African countries to deploy in Juba, after rejecting those recommended by the United Nations Security Council.

The EastAfrican has learned that Juba is seeking troops from Egypt and Tanzania, whom the leaders believe will be neutral as compared with frontline states like Ethiopia and Kenya that were supposed to provide the regional protection force.

But the Salva Kiir administration is running out of time as UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was supposed to report to the Security Council about its commitment on the deployment of additional 4,000 troops by September 15.

Sources from the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (Igad) told The EastAfrican that Mr Ban is awaiting a report from the former president of Botswana, Festus Mogae, who is in charge of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), which is supposed to implement the August 2015 agreement.

South Sudanese deputy ambassador to Kenya Jimmy Deng, however, said that the chiefs-of staff-from the Igad states are working on the modalities of deployment, adding that the world cannot just impose foreign forces on South Sudan without proper consultations.

“The forces that are coming and the type of weapons they are going to carry must come from Igad. We must have an exit strategy and the UN is not going to decide for us because there are a lot of countries that are willing to deploy,” said Mr Deng.

South Sudan is facing an arms embargo and targeted sanctions, especially after the Sentry Report revealed that the top leadership of the youngest country in Africa have been looting it since the signing of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Nairobi.

The report says that colossal amounts of money are stashed away in Kenyan and Ugandan banks while the same personalities own luxurious properties in the three countries.

Related stories

The challenge now is that countries that would provide the troops are unwilling to risk the lives of their soldiers in a direct confrontation with South Sudanese troops.

The same Igad counties are supposed to be in the forefront of imposing an arms embargo.

Kenya, Rwanda and Ethiopia were supposed to provide the regional protection force, which according to the UN Security Council Resolution was supposed to act as a buffer between the forces of President Kiir and those of ousted vice-president Dr Riek Machar, and to secure humanitarian supply lines and key installations.

“The government consented to the deployment of the regional protection force, but we need to hear now how the talks are going, about the actual, concrete deployment of that force,” said the US ambassador to the UN Samantha Power.

Juba shopping for troops, rejects UN’s
 
Nov 2, 2016
Khartoum, Sudan

FRANCE 24
  • A call for UN soldiers to be accountable and punished by their respective countries before a court martial
  • UN Peace-Keepers were risk-averse
  • Private contractors (mercenaries) had to be involved to rescue the victims instead of UN Peace Keepers
  • leadership of UN Peace-Keepers Mission was chaotic and ineffective

UN peacekeeping commander sacked in South Sudan

Source: FRANCE 24 English
 
October 13, 2016
Nairobi, Kenya

Prof Kagwanja says KDF are no longer mocked as "career soldiers" or "barracks soldiers" by her neighbours


Source: NTV Kenya
 
Geza Ulole said:
BTW Salva Kiir alishakataa ufalafala wa KDF! Probably TPDF wataitwa ku-take over!

Juba shopping for troops, rejects UN’s
unmiss-pic.jpg

United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) peacekeepers stand guard at an entrance to the Tongping UNMISS base in Juba. FILE PHOTO | FILE | AFP

IN SUMMARY

  • The EastAfrican has learned that Juba is seeking troops from Egypt and Tanzania, whom the leaders believe will be neutral as compared with frontline states like Ethiopia and Kenya that were supposed to provide the regional protection force.
  • South Sudan is facing an arms embargo and targeted sanctions, especially after the Sentry Report revealed that the top leadership of the youngest country in Africa have been looting it since the signing of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Nairobi.
  • The challenge now is that countries that would provide the troops are unwilling to risk the lives of their soldiers in a direct confrontation with South Sudanese troops.


South Sudan is shopping around for troops from African countries to deploy in Juba, after rejecting those recommended by the United Nations Security Council.

The EastAfrican has learned that Juba is seeking troops from Egypt and Tanzania, whom the leaders believe will be neutral as compared with frontline states like Ethiopia and Kenya that were supposed to provide the regional protection force.

But the Salva Kiir administration is running out of time as UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was supposed to report to the Security Council about its commitment on the deployment of additional 4,000 troops by September 15.

Sources from the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (Igad) told The EastAfrican that Mr Ban is awaiting a report from the former president of Botswana, Festus Mogae, who is in charge of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), which is supposed to implement the August 2015 agreement.

South Sudanese deputy ambassador to Kenya Jimmy Deng, however, said that the chiefs-of staff-from the Igad states are working on the modalities of deployment, adding that the world cannot just impose foreign forces on South Sudan without proper consultations.

“The forces that are coming and the type of weapons they are going to carry must come from Igad. We must have an exit strategy and the UN is not going to decide for us because there are a lot of countries that are willing to deploy,” said Mr Deng.

South Sudan is facing an arms embargo and targeted sanctions, especially after the Sentry Report revealed that the top leadership of the youngest country in Africa have been looting it since the signing of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Nairobi.

The report says that colossal amounts of money are stashed away in Kenyan and Ugandan banks while the same personalities own luxurious properties in the three countries.

Related stories

The challenge now is that countries that would provide the troops are unwilling to risk the lives of their soldiers in a direct confrontation with South Sudanese troops.

The same Igad counties are supposed to be in the forefront of imposing an arms embargo.

Kenya, Rwanda and Ethiopia were supposed to provide the regional protection force, which according to the UN Security Council Resolution was supposed to act as a buffer between the forces of President Kiir and those of ousted vice-president Dr Riek Machar, and to secure humanitarian supply lines and key installations.

“The government consented to the deployment of the regional protection force, but we need to hear now how the talks are going, about the actual, concrete deployment of that force,” said the US ambassador to the UN Samantha Power.

Juba shopping for troops, rejects UN’s
Click to expand...
1) The UN had asked kenya to choose another comannder....
2) Juba saying they are looking for a neutral force, means they are looking for someone who will innocent,imprenstionable or simeone who can relate and would be sympathet who will support the ruling govt, dont be stupid,
 
also geza, the govt in juba had already consented eventually it even says that in your own article


“The government consented to the deployment of the regional protection force, but we need to hear now how the talks are going, about the actual, concrete deployment of that force,” said the US ambassador to the UN Samantha Power.
 
Kafrican said:
also geza, the govt in juba had already consented eventually it even says that in your own article


“The government consented to the deployment of the regional protection force, but we need to hear now how the talks are going, about the actual, concrete deployment of that force,” said the US ambassador to the UN Samantha Power.
Click to expand...
endeleeni kujipendekeza kwa kujilazimishia, South Sudan hawataki IGAD troops including Kenyan there
South Sudan Seeking Troops After Rejecting UN Peacekeepers
640px-UN_battalion_Bastille_Day_2008_n2.jpg

South Sudan is “shopping around” for troops from African nations after rejecting a UN proposal to deploy 4,000 additional peacekeeper troops, according to reports.

Kenyan publication, The East African, says Juba is attempting to source troops from Egypt and Tanzania. This comes after South Sudan rejected a proposal from the United Nations Security Council to deploy extra UN peacekeeper troops in the country.



South Sudan seeking troops from ‘neutral’ countries
According to the report, South Sudan is seeking troops from countries with neutral leaders. Egypt and Tanzania are said to be the first two African nations Juba has approached. While the UN’s peacekeeping force would be made up of troops from neighbouring countries, including Ethiopia and Tanzania.

South Sudan’s refusal to accept UN troops doesn’t necessarily rule them out of being deployed, but it does make the next move difficult for the organisation. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was supposed to report on the deployment of troops by September 15.

However, South Sudanese deputy ambassador to Kenya Jimmy Deng says the world cannot force peacekeeper troops upon the country.

“The forces that are coming and the type of weapons they are going to carry must come from Igad [Inter-Governmental Authority on Development]. We must have an exit strategy and the UN is not going to decide for us because there are a lot of countries that are willing to deploy,” he said.



South Sudan facing arms embargo
The UN had previously warned it would place an arms embargo on South Sudan if the country continued to reject its proposal for deploying peacekeeper troops. However, this also came with the deadline of September 15, which has already passed. An arms embargo is still a genuine possibility and one of few moves the UN can realistically take.

Meanwhile, South Sudan’s leaders have been accused once again of leeching the country and profiteering from its war in a new report by the Sentry.

South Sudan Seeking Troops After Rejecting UN Peacekeepers - East Africa Monitor
 
geza ur pathetic.... na hlo jeshi lenu....kama south africa ilishindwa ikarudi ....c mtatii mkifika.....

Kenya yasuppprt Riek Machar Kila mtu anajua .....

HAMJUI chochote Politically kinachoendelea Horn of africa na hata mtake aje kujiunga You just cant

1478162212668.png


A spokesperson for the SPLM-IO James Gatdet has been taken and has disappeared in Nairobi, Kenya, according to an opposition press release.
"James Gatdet was kidnapped this afternoon around 4:00 PM by unknown gunmen dressed in uniform who came to his house in Nairobi, Kenya. After picking him, his whereabouts is unknown up to this time as I am writing," a spokesperson for the opposition Dickson Gatluak said in a press statement.
Although it is not clear if the two are related, the alleged disappearance came after Gatdet shared a Facebook post criticizing the Kenyan U.N. force commander in South Sudan Lt-General Johnson Ondieki.
On Thursday, Kenya said it was going to withdraw its peacekeepers from the U.N. mission and pull out of the peace process to protest the sacking of Ondieki.
Photo courtesy africanspress.org
 
Kaeni huko chini msianze kujiweka kwa vitu hamtaweza kukiwa kumoto ......

KUNA MORE THAN 600,000 SOUTH sudanese hapa kenya Tulienda Nao shule Tunaishi nao Tunajua tunacho fanya nyie mtatokea kwingine hamwelewi chochote na mtaonja cha mtema kuni!!
 
Sammuel999 said:
Kaeni huko chini msianze kujiweka kwa vitu hamtaweza kukiwa kumoto ......

KUNA MORE THAN 600,000 SOUTH sudanese hapa kenya Tulienda Nao shule Tunaishi nao Tunajua tunacho fanya nyie mtatokea kwingine hamwelewi chochote na mtaonja cha mtema kuni!!
Click to expand...
has nothing to do with having 600,000 Sudanese in Kenya but ufalafala wa KDF! U people yapped abut Uganda being a brother nation and yet chose Tanzania as a trustworthy partener to transfer her oil! The same is the case Salva Kiir has repeatedly asked for Tanzanian and Egyptian forces in JUba and refused any of IGAD members' forces there incuding KDF! endeleeni una ufalafala...

Chinese replaces Kenyan commander in Juba
Kimani.jpg

Lt-Gen Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki. FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

IN SUMMARY

  • UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had called on Tuesday for the sacking of Lt-Gen Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki of Kenya following release of an investigative report.

  • It documented failures at the top of the UN mission in South Sudan (Unmiss) in responding to attacks in July on its headquarters and on civilian compounds in Juba.


The Kenyan commander of the United Nations peacekeeping force in South Sudan is now “on leave,” and a Chinese military officer has been named acting commander, a UN spokesman has said.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had called on Tuesday for the sacking of Lt-Gen Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki of Kenya following the release of an investigative report.

It documented failures at the top of the UN Mission in South Sudan (Unmiss) in responding to attacks in July on its headquarters and on civilian compounds in Juba.

Lt-Gen Ondieki has been replaced on an acting basis by Maj-Gen Chaoying Yang, the Unmiss deputy commander, UN spokesman Stephen Dujarric said.

Maj-Gen Yang was not serving as head of the Chinese Unmiss battalion that is cited in the investigative report as having abandoned some of its positions on two occasions during the July attacks.

“We have full confidence in the ability of Maj Gen Yang to perform those functions” as acting commander, Mr Dujarric said on Wednesday.

Kenya has rejected a UN offer to nominate a replacement for Lt Gen Ondieki, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Foreign ministry in Nairobi.

Kenya responded angrily to the announced sacking, saying it will immediately withdraw its roughly 1,000 soldiers and police from Unmiss, which currently includes 13,723 uniformed personnel.

Spokesman Dujarric said in response that UN officials “obviously value” Kenya's contributions to Unmiss.

The UN has not received formal notification of Kenya's withdrawal from Unmiss, he added.

The UN is meanwhile refusing to release the full version of the investigative report overseen by Dutch retired Maj-Gen Patrick Cammaert.

Amnesty International called on Wednesday for the full findings to be published, but Mr Dujarric said that document “will not be released.”

Amnesty also suggested that the sacking of Lt-Gen Ondieki is not a sufficient response to the findings of the investigative team.

Global peace

“Change at the top of the peacekeeping mission in South Sudan has to be matched by fast and drastic change amongst its 16,000 peacekeepers," the human rights group said.

“It’s time they implemented their mandate to protect civilians from killing and rape.”

On Thursday, President Kenyatta emphasized his decision to pull Kenyan troops out of Unmiss and faulted the UN Secretariat for placing blame on what he called "systematic failures" of the peace mission on an individual Kenyan commander.

"We know that the people of South Sudan want peace and Kenyans also want peace for South Sudan. But peace will not come to South Sudan by blaming a Kenyan on failures," he said in Nakuru.

"Kenya serves in this mission not because of need for recognition but commitment to global peace because global and regional peace means peace for Kenya."

He spoke after presiding over the commissioning parade of cadets at Kenya Military Academy in Lanet.

"Our men and women serve with honour, with valour and with complete professionalism, and let it not be forgotten that some lost their lives in peace keeping missions," he said.

Kenya, he said, would no longer contribute to a mission that has failed to meet its mandate and which has now resorted to putting blame on Kenyans.

"So I repeat again that we intend to withdraw Kenyan troops from that mission with immediate effect, and that we will discontinue our contribution of troops to the proposed regional protection force," he said.

Chinese replaces Kenyan commander in Juba
 
Kenya accuses UN of bowing to pressure in South Sudan probe
  • AFRICA
  • Thursday 3 November 2016 - 8:46pm
h_52619095.jpg

File: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday sacked Lieutenant General Johnson Ondieki. Photo: EPA/SANDRO CAMPARDO

h_52619095.jpg


NEW YORK - Kenya on Thursday accused the United Nations of bowing to pressure from certain countries by setting up an investigation that pinned the blame for peacekeeping failures in South Sudan on the Kenyan force commander.

Ambassador Macharia Kamau charged that "certain current and future members of the Security Council" had pushed for a probe with a "pre-ordained outcome" that targeted the Kenyan general as the "fall guy."

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday sacked Lieutenant General Johnson Ondieki after the investigation showed that peacekeepers failed to protect civilians during heavy fighting in Juba in July.

"The United Nations acquiesced to undertake the investigation with skewed terms of reference meant to target one individual," said Kamau, who slammed the report as "shameful, unfair and an exercise in scapegoating."

The ambassador did not name the countries involved, but China's peacekeepers in South Sudan were criticised in the report, and Ethiopia, which also has troops in the mission, is due to join the council in January.

Ondieki has been replaced as force commander by Major-General Chaoying Yang of China.

After learning that the report would recommend the dismissal of Ondieki, Kenya sought to intervene with Ban to defend the general, who had been in the post for three weeks, and demanded that the decision be reversed.

"The secretary-general in his lame-duck season seems to have found the courage that has eluded him throughout his tenure by choosing to ignore Kenya's plea," said Kamau.

- Systemic failure -

Kenya responded to the UN decision by announcing that it will pull its 1,050 troops out of South Sudan and dropped plans to contribute soldiers to a planned UN regional force for Juba.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric defended the sacking of the force commander, saying it was based on "leadership command decisions" taken by Ondieki during the fighting in July.

"There was no pre-ordained conclusion to Mister Cammaert's work," he said. Retired Dutch general Patrick Cammaert led the investigation.

The report found that a lack of leadership in the UN mission culminated in a "chaotic and ineffective response" during heavy fighting in the capital from July 8 to 11.

Peacekeepers abandoned their posts and failed to respond to pleas for help from aid workers under attack in a nearby hotel compound.

Russian Deputy Ambassador Petr Iliichev said the decision to sack Ondieki was "premature" and should be reconsidered, but it remained unclear if the Security Council would take up the matter.

The UN mission known as UNMISS has 16,000 troops deployed in South Sudan, which has been at war since December 2013.

The fierce fighting in Juba involved helicopter gunships and tanks pitting President Salva Kiir's government forces against those loyal to ex-rebel chief Riek Machar.

The Kenyan ambassador said there was a "systemic failure" at the United Nations and that responsibility lay also with the department of peacekeeping in New York and the joint command of the UN mission in Juba.

The UN spokesman said in response that Ban has "full confidence" in peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous, of France.

AFP
Kenya accuses UN of bowing to pressure in South Sudan probe

MY TAKE
Ethiopia is on neck of Kenya's ufalafala on KDF after arresting Kenyan Police and yet Kenyans believe Ethiopia is a partener in LAPSSET! Just like i said before Ethiopia is eyeing that same oil in South Sudan to pass through Addis enroute to Port Djibouti.


nomasana, sam999, NairobiWalker, hbuyosh, msemakweli, simplemind, Kimweri, Bulldog, MK254, Kafrican, Ngongo, Ab_Titchaz, mtanganyika mpya, JokaKuu, Ngongo, Askari Kanzu, Dhuks, Yule-Msee, waltham, mombasite gabriel, Juakali1980, Boda254, mwaswast, MwendaOmo, Iconoclastes, oneflash, Kambalanick, 1 Africa, saadeque, burukenge, nyangau mkenya, Teen-Upperhill Nairobi, kadoda11
 
Nov 4, 2016
Washington DC, USA

USA closely monitoring the situation following Kenya's decision to withdraw troops from South Sudan

“We’re continuing to talk to the Kenyans about their intentions,” spokesman Mark Toner said at a press briefing in Washington, DC.

“We don’t want to see Unmiss compromised — the numbers — in terms of troop numbers on the ground,” Mr Toner added.

The US has not specifically commented on the sacking of Unmiss commander Lt-Gen Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki except to say that it respects the action taken by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Reuters reported that the US asked the UN Security Council on Thursday to endorse the investigative report that led to Lt-Gen Ondieki's removal.

But China, with Russia's support, was said to have blocked the US move during the council's closed-door meeting.

“For us, the decision was premature," Russia's Deputy UN Ambassador Petr Illichev told Reuters in regard to Lt-Gen Ondieki's ouster.


Unmiss' structure is now “in ruins,” the Russian envoy added. "We don't have a special representative, she's leaving, we don't have a force commander.”

Unmiss civilian chief Ellen Loj is scheduled to step down at the end of this month.

The head of the UN Peacekeeping Department, meanwhile, told reporters in New York that the conclusions of the report on the performance of Unmiss' military leadership were “irrefutable.”

Peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous also suggested in response to a reporter's question that the UN is unlikely to force other top Unmiss officials out of their posts.

Mr Ladsous noted that the public summary of the investigative report “doesn't call for other big-scale changes.”

The UN has appointed Unmiss' second-in-command, Maj-Gen Chaoying Yang of China as Lt-Gen Ondieki's acting replacement.

Samantha Power, the US ambassador to the UN, emphasised in a statement on Thursday that Unmiss had ignored pleas to rescue scores of civilians who were being beaten and “gang-raped” by South Sudan government troops in Juba in July.

“Their multiple telephone calls for Unmiss' help went unheeded, despite the short distance between the UN base and the scene of the crime, and at no time during the attack did the UN send help to those in desperate need,” Ambassador Power said.

The US envoy further observed that “UN peacekeepers deployed in South Sudan have been given a clear mandate to protect all civilians under the threat of physical violence through proactive deployment and engagement.”
Source: US in talks with Kenya over KDF's exit from South Sudan
 
The UN forces are just on vacation and not to protect civilians in South Sudan
 
Aibu kubwa kwa Jenerali kutimuliwa.kenya wanatakiwa wapunguze hasira,hawajui nini kitatokea kwenye uchaguzi wao,je na wao wakihitaji ulinzi wa UN itakuaje
 
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