UN SG Banki Moon Condemns South Sudan for Expelling UN Relief Coordinator Toby Lanzer
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The UN humanitarian coordinator in South Sudan, Toby Lanzer. No reason was given for his expulsion. Photograph: Samir Bol/AFP/Getty
STATEMENT: The Secretary-General condemns the Government of South Sudan’s decision to expel the United Nations Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General/ Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Toby Lanzer.
Mr. Lanzer has been instrumental in addressing the increasing humanitarian needs of conflict-affected communities in the country, and ensuring that life-saving humanitarian assistance reaches the most vulnerable. This has been necessary because of continuing violence by both parties in the absence of a comprehensive peace agreement.
The Secretary-General calls on the Government of South Sudan to reverse its decision immediately. He further urges the Government to cooperate fully with all United Nations entities present in South Sudan.
Mr. Lanzer was coming to the end of his term, and in order to ensure continuity for this critical function, the Secretary-General has already appointed his successor, whose nomination was announced on 29 May.
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South Sudan expels UN relief coordinator Toby Lanzer
UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon condemns move by government of Salva Kiir and praises Lanzer for ensuring aid has reached most vulnerable during civil war
South Sudan has decided to expel the United Nations’ resident relief coordinator and deputy envoy to the country, Toby Lanzer, a UN spokesman said on Monday.
The UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, condemned the move and called on Juba to reverse the decision immediately, the official said.
“Mr Lanzer has been instrumental in addressing the increasing humanitarian needs of conflict-affected communities in the country and ensuring that lifesaving humanitarian assistance reaches the most vulnerable,” the spokesman said in a statement.
No reason was given for the expulsion but the spokesman noted that Lanzer was coming to the end of his term and that Eugene Owusu, a Ghanaian former adviser to the UN Development Programme, had already been appointed to replace him.
Lanzer, a British national who was appointed in 2012, is due to take up a new post as UN regional humanitarian coordinator for the Sahel.
South Sudan is among the UN’s worst humanitarian crises, with more than 2.5 million people facing a severe food crisis.
The world’s newest state was plunged into conflict nearly 18 months ago between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and rebels allied to his former deputy, Riek Machar.
More than 120,000 people have sought shelter in UN bases in South Sudan since the fighting broke out in December 2013.
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