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EU slams expulsion of UN relief official from S. Sudan

Xinhua, June 3, 2015 Adjust font size:

The European Union (EU) on Tuesday condemned expulsion of UN Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan Toby Lanzer, just weeks before he was scheduled to leave for a new posting.

A statement from the EU offices in Nairobi said the decision by South Sudan government to choose "this time"to expel the UN relief official "is not acceptable" amid worsening humanitarian crisis.

Christos Stylianides, European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, said Lanzer has worked tirelessly to address the humanitarian and protection needs of the civilian population of South Sudan

"The humanitarian crisis in South Sudan is deepening by the day. The country's problems are man-made, most notably the recent resumption of fighting by both sides, and have resulted in one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world," Stylianides said.

He said the government of South Sudan expelled Lanzer, who has been instrumental in addressing the increasing humanitarian needs of conflict-affected communities in the country, without an official explanation.

"The assistance provided by the international community that has been co-ordinated by Lanzer makes a crucial difference for those facing life threatening circumstances," Stylianides added.

Lanzer has served as the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in South Sudan as well as the UN Development Program Resident Coordinator and the Humanitarian Coordinator since July 2012.

The UN on Monday also condemned the expulsion. South Sudanese officials have not yet publically responded about the expulsion.

South Sudan was plunged into conflict nearly 18 months ago between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and rebels allied to his former deputy, Riek Machar. The conflict in South Sudan has displaced more than two million people since December 2013. Due to the conflict, the economy of the country is on the edge of collapse with more and more people unable to provide for their livelihoods. Endi