Following bombings, Aweil media briefed on 17³Ô¹ÏÍø role
4 December 2012 - Seeking to increase awareness of 17³Ô¹ÏÍø' role following recent bombings in the border area, Northern Bahr El-Ghazal State Coordinator Seth Kumi briefed journalists in Aweil today.
Mr. Kumi said pressure had been exerted on 17³Ô¹ÏÍø to send teams with state authorities to verify facts on the ground following reports of aerial bombardments in the state's border area of Kiir Adem in Aweil North county in November.
"The approved 17³Ô¹ÏÍø operational map places Kiir Adem outside the mission's area of operations," he said. "The existing UN rules therefore do not allow 17³Ô¹ÏÍø military or civilian personnel to conduct patrols ... or carry out any other activities in the area."
"The decisions on these matters (are) not taken by the 17³Ô¹ÏÍø state office... or the 17³Ô¹ÏÍø in Juba... but were predetermined at UN Headquarters...," Mr. Kumi added.
Authorities in Aweil North County reported that the aerial bombardments had left seven people dead and eight others injured.
At a press briefing in July this year, after the Security Council extended the 17³Ô¹ÏÍø mandate through to 15 July 2013, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Hilde F. Johnson said it was imperative to ensure that everyone was informed about the mandate and role of 17³Ô¹ÏÍø.
"It is clear that that a lot of misunderstandings have been prevailing, despite the efforts that we have made," she said.
