The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) has dismissed reports that it shipped weapons using the Mombasa port to arm rebels operating in the Abyei Box.
In a statement on Sunday, October 8, UNSFA termed the reports as false, saying they are intended to escalate tension in the Abyei region.
“The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) is concerned by disinformation circulating online and on social media, falsely accusing the mission of arming local youth in the Abyei Box.
"The false reports alleged that third-party commercial trucks carrying UNISFA contingent-owned equipment, being transported to Abyei from the Port of Mombasa, Kenya, were to be used to equip an armed group operating in Abyei,” read the statement in part.
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UNISFA noted that the fake reports forced five trucks transporting UN-owned equipment containing logistics items en route to Abyei to be diverted for inspection by South Sudan's authorities.
“This action was prompted by inaccurate reports claiming that these trucks were transporting weapons and ammunition. The trucks were subsequently released by the authorities after inspection,” the agency stated.
UNISFA also disclosed that all logistic supplies that were previously received through the Port of Sudan are currently being shipped through the Port of Mombasa via South Sudan to Abyei, due to the ongoing crisis in Sudan.
“UNISFA calls on the public to ignore disinformation and desist from spreading it further,” the mission added.
