Security displays some of the seized UN weapons in Rumbek - Mar 8, 2014

The UN Mission in South Sudan says an investigation team from New York will soon arrive in South Sudan to investigate the incident in which a convoy of its trucks was seized carrying weapons and ammunitions in Lakes State.

Government security forces in Lakes state last Tuesday said they seized about 11 UN trucks carrying fire arms, blankets and other military items.

The Minister of Information, accompanied by other government officials, traveled to Lakes state over the weekend to investigate the seizure of the UN trucks.

Michael Makuei Lueth told the press in Rumbek that the labelling of the consignment does not match the items being carried in the trucks.

“The Special representative the day before yesterday wrote a press release calling it a mistake, calling it an error. It is not enough,” he said.

“It is clear that they are in flagrant violation of the agreement because the agreement is very clear and the fact that that all these things were found here is a clear violation of the agreement.

“Some people must answer.”

UNMISS Spokesperson, Ariane Quentier told Eye Radio’s Sundown show yesterday that the arms were being transported to its Ghanaian contingent in Unity State:

“We take this matter extremely seriously, and that’s the reason why we have high delegation coming from New York, which should arrive tomorrow to start investigating in collaboration with the South Sudanese government,” she said.

Ariane said UNMISS in cooperation with the government of South Sudan will investigate into the incident.

“We also have a mission today, with the South Sudan government, which is currently in Rumbek, trying to understand what happened, and mostly, are also trying to make sure that this will never happen again.”