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https://scmp.com/news/world/africa/article/2117022/us-ambassador-un-nikki-haley-evacuated-violence-erupts-during
World/ Africa

US ambassador to UN Nikki Haley evacuated as violence erupts during visit to South Sudan refugee camp

US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley waves towards refugees while being evacuated by her protection forcefrom a UN refugee camp in Juba, South Sudan, on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

The US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, was evacuated from a UN camp for displaced people in South Sudan on Wednesday when a violent protest against President Salva Kiir erupted, witnesses said.

Shortly after Haley left the camp, UN security guards fired tear gas to disperse the crowd of more than 100 residents who looted and destroyed the office of a charity operating there, an aid worker at the camp said. The aid worker spoke on condition of anonymity out of safety fears.

Haley tweeted a video of the protest, describing what she called a “sad but inspiring day”.

“We felt the pain & the passion of the ppl. A govt that doesn’t respect all of its ppl can’t be sustained,” she wrote.

Haley, in the middle of a three-country African visit, met earlier Wednesday with Kiir over the country’s long civil war. Speaking later to UN station Radio Miraya, Haley said she warned Kiir that the US no longer trusted South Sudan’s government and was no longer prepared to wait for change. She did not give details.

The United Nations said camp residents “became upset that she was not able to meet with them, due to time constraint.” The US Embassy did not comment on Haley’s evacuation.

Frustration has been growing inside and outside South Sudan over the conflict that has killed tens of thousands and created Africa’s largest displacement of civilians since the Rwanda genocide in 1994.

“People are not happy,” said one resident of the UN camp, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of his safety. He said camp residents had been waiting to hand Haley a letter with their position on the “current crisis.” The UN said a “petition” was delivered before Haley’s departure.

“We are disappointed by what we are seeing. This is not what we thought we were investing in,” Haley said in remarks later released by the UN. “What we thought we were investing in was a free, fair society where people could be safe and South Sudan is the opposite of that.”
Nepalese members of UN anti-riot police stand guard during a visit by the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, to the UN Prefugee camp Juba, South Sudan, on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
Nepalese members of UN anti-riot police stand guard during a visit by the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, to the UN Prefugee camp Juba, South Sudan, on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
The US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley (right) meets with staff members of the US embassy in Juba, South Sudan. Photo: AFP
The US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley (right) meets with staff members of the US embassy in Juba, South Sudan. Photo: AFP
Haley is the highest-level US government official to visit South Sudan since US President Donald Trump took office. She is in Africa to see the involvement of the US and United Nations in Ethiopia, South Sudan and Congo, where she will be on Thursday.

In his meeting with Haley, South Sudan’s president appealed for the Trump administration to stay engaged with his devastated country. According to a statement by his office, Kiir “emphasised his commitment” to end the conflict through peace talks that took place in the capital, Juba, last week and are expected to resume in December.

“All disputes can only be resolved through dialogue and not arms,” Kiir told Haley, the statement said. Multiple attempts at peace deals have failed in the past.
US Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley(right) talks with a UN official during her visit at the UN refugee camp in Juba, South Sudan, on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
US Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley(right) talks with a UN official during her visit at the UN refugee camp in Juba, South Sudan, on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

The United States is South Sudan’s largest donor and was instrumental in the country’s creation. Since the East African nation gained independence in 2011, the US has given more than US$5 billion for humanitarian and development initiatives, according to the US Embassy.

South Sudan plunged into civil war in late 2013, and the country faces mass displacement, starvation and allegations of government corruption and war crimes. More than 2 million people have fled the country.

Before her visit to the UN camp, Haley said on Twitter that she hopes South Sudan’s peace process succeeds. “The pain in the stories of refugees from S. Sudan is a reminder we can’t look away. We can’t let armed conflict be their only choice,” she said.

South Sudan’s president also said he was working with the United Nations to increase access for humanitarian workers across the country ravaged by hunger. The N has long alleged government restrictions on aid, including harassment by troops.

Rights groups have urged the United States to take a tougher approach to Kiir’s government.