UNMISS, the UN Mission in South Sudan, is in negotiations with the Russian government to lift the ban set on Russian pilots flying helicopters in South Sudan after they reported several insecurity incidents in the region.
The ban came after security officers detained a UNMISS helicopter and its Russian crew last week for six hours in Budi County of Eastern Equatoria.The crew reported the incident to the Moscow government.
Aleem Siddique, UNMISS spokesperson, told CRN News over the phone, that the incident took place on Friday last week when the UNMISS helicopter was landing in Lauro, Budi County, carrying WHO doctors and polio vaccines.
He said the incident was a clear violation of the Status of Forces of Agreement signed between the government of South Sudan and UNMISS which allows free movement of UN staff and assets ton support the mission’s mandate.
Mr. Siddique added that the Governor of Eastern Equatoria presented an apology for the incident.
He said he hoped the Russian administration would soon lift the ban on its pilots in order for UNMISS to resume vital operations in South Sudan.