By Matik Kueth
Kenya is gearing up to send four police specialists to South Sudan as part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission, hours after reports of an alleged detention of the First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar.
According to a statement from Kenya’s National Police Service (NPS), Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja briefed the four officers to be deployed with the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
He stated that the four Kenyan officers are drawn from the Kenya Police Service (KPS), Administration Police Service (APS), and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and are expected to serve within the mission for 12 months.
According to the NPS, the four will be part of a specialized police team that has anti-cattle raiding component.
Kenya’s National Police Service (NPS), Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja
“Their mission is to undertake specialized duties in support of peacekeeping efforts, aligning with international policing standards,” the statement read in part, adding, “These officers will join others deployed in the mission area, reinforcing Kenya’s contribution to regional security and stability.”
Kenya is one of the nations that frequently receives an influx of refugees whenever tensions in South Sudan flare up.
Violence has risen over the last month, with SSPDF personnel clashing with local armed youth (white army) in Nasir County, Upper Nile State.
According to the SPLM-IO, President Kiir ordered Machar’s arrest, which has raised concerns among the international community.
It said a convoy consisting of 20 heavily armed vehicles reportedly stormed the residence of Machar, where they disarmed his security personnel.
However, on Thursday, the United States urged President Kiir to release Dr. Machar, warning that doing so risked worsening the conflict.
Also, the Troika, France, Germany, and a delegation from the European Union embassies in South Sudan, in a Joint statement, said they are seriously concerned about reports that First Vice President Dr. Machar had been placed under house arrest.
On the other hand, the international communities, including the embassies of France, Germany, and the three Troika countries (Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States), further appealed to President Kiir to reverse the action to prevent further escalation in the country.
UNMISS, which was established in 2011 to preserve peace in South Sudan, also warned of the possibility of a full-fledged civil war as tensions rise in the region.