Political parties and civil society organization have staged a peaceful demonstration in Juba to criticize the way the UN Mission in South Sudan has handled the crisis.

The group said the head of UNMISS, Hilde Johnson, was not supporting the government in its efforts to tackle the crisis.

Gong Majuech read out a petition written by the group, addressing their grievances at the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in South Sudan, Madam Hilde Johnson:

“We are dismayed by Hilde Johnson’s incapable role that she has embarrassed UNMISS dedicated staff by approving to transport renegade Riek on UNMISS helicopter from Bor to Gadiang, Akobo and Bentiu to incite civilians to commit atrocities against unarmed civilians.

“We called for a quick reverse of incapable status of unprofessional role played by Hilde Johnson that contradicts her status as the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General.

“We call for express apology from UNMISS and shameful act of humiliating Minister Makuei Lueth that contradicts the role of UN.”

The Chief of Staff of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, Paul Egunsola, who received the petition, said UNMISS has been impartial since the crisis began.

“The United Nations is impartial, and we continued to respect the sovereignty of the government of South Sudan,” said Mr Egunsola.

“We’ve however continued to urge both parties to come to the negotiating table and reach an agreement so as to stop the ongoing fighting.

“The violence has been very devastating to the ordinary South Sudanese of all groups and all the communities. War is not a good option, so we have been calling for a cessation of violence so that we can come back to peace and normalcy. That is the position of the United Nations.”

Mr Egunsola said UNMISS will proceed with its mandate to protect civilians and monitor the human rights situation in South Sudan.