Lise Grande alongside Mr. Juma the National Staff's Chairperson addressing the demonstrators in Juba [©Gurtong]
By Waakhe Simon Wudu
JUBA, 7th February 2012 [Gurtong] - South Sudanese nationals employed by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, (UNMISS) launched a strike at the UNMISS Headquarters in Juba over accusations of mistreatment by their foreign counterparts mainly holding senior positions and demand changes in many areas.
The angry staff yesterday camped at the main gate of UNMISS headquarters barring any movement of vehicle in or out of the premises while scaring the foreign employees. Many were reported to have remained in their houses to avoid confrontations.
UNMISS has at least 8,000 South Sudanese national staffs in the whole country. Gurtong also learnt that, the strike was launched in all UNMISS branches in Aweil, Wau, Malakal, Rumbek, Bor Counties and other many parts of the country.
This latest blow to UNMISS just about seven months old since it commenced operations mid last year escalated after one of the foreign employees known as “Marios Coffin” (sources not clear) believed to be UNMISS Legal Affairs Officer allegedly assaulted one of the South Sudanese security officers on 30th January 2012 at around 11pm.
The assaulted staff only known as "Scopas" was reported to have been physically assaulted and was admitted to hospital after sustaining injuries during the fight. Marios is alleged to have described the South Sudanese security officer an “alqaeder”, “a monkey” something that annoyed the entire UNMISS national staff and hence prompting the need for change.
“This is not the first reported case of sheer mistreatment. In 2010, a South Sudanese working in the department of water was beaten by a foreign staff then later admitted to Generation clinic here in Juba,” one of the staff members who preferred to remain anonymous told Gurtong.
“The second one was a security officer also assaulted by a foreign staff last year. Another one was also beaten last year in Wau the recent incident one is the fourth time,” added the anonymous source.
Some of the issues raised by the concerned staff and demanded immediate response to were; unfairness from the UNMISS Investigative Unit on issues of harassment and intimidation.
The unit is believed to be run by International Staff and most of the harassments are committed by the same foreign staff who are also bosses to the junior South Sudanese employees, unfair exchange rate of currency during salary payment, no accommodation for the South Sudanese national staff and lack of respect and poor work relations.
The national staff demanded an audience with the UN Special Envoy to South Sudan Hilde F. Johnson. However, her Deputy and the Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs Lise Grande turned up to address the staff at 11am.
“I would like you to select a delegation, elect representatives then come and we will go through these issues systematically. We will have indebt discussions with your delegation,” Lise urged the protestors.
“We will not tolerate unfairness. The United Nations upholds the highest standard of working relations,” she added.
However, as Lise urged for the selection of a committee, the UNMISS employees feared intimidation after she called-off the demonstration and urged them to resume duties.
“I am asking you to go back to work. It is your decision….it is your decision…it is your decision,” Lise reiterated while the crowd was hesitant to leave.
The committee was set up immediately and held 30 minutes talks with Lise, she requested the demonstrators to give her one week to investigate and address the issues.
The national staff's elected committee said it will hold a meeting with the South Sudan government’s security organs today about the matter.
The Committee also demanded that Marios Coffin with four other foreign UNMISS staff in the country to leave.