SECURITY GUARDS IN JUBA ASSAULT THIRD-COUNTRY

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 000555 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ITA AND AF/SPG E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC EAID PREL PINR SU SUBJECT: SECURITY GUARDS IN JUBA ASSAULT THIRD-COUNTRY NATIONAL SUPERVISOR ¶1. SUMMARY: On Monday, February 27, 2006, members of the Local Guard Force (LGF) contracted by the USG to secure the U.S. Consulate compound in Juba (Southern Sudan) attacked one of the contractor's third country national (TCN) employees. The security guards demanded to be provided letters of recommendation, certificates of training and immediate payment of their salaries. This assault took place on the contractor's compound located in Juba and did not involve any USG personnel or facilities. End Summary. -------------- Training Turns to Violence -------------- ¶2. In response to the guard's demands, the TCN employee, a Kenyan, told the group there was no money in the office and they were due to be paid the next day. The guards then attacked the TCN, dragging him a short distance along the ground while kicking him in the chest and stomach. An additional group of 15 guards in the compound began to gather rocks and sticks. ¶3. The contractor's local general manager (a U.S. citizen) arrived and urged calm, requesting that the rogue guards release the TCN. The guards responded with threats and insults, and would not allow the general manager to approach the TCN. The guards did not attack the general manager, possibly fearing he was armed. During the conversation, the TCN escaped and took refuge at a nearby secure location. -------------- Juba Justice -------------- ¶4. The police responded to the contractor's office in riot gear and arrested five of the guards involved in this incident. The remaining culprits fled the scene and remain at large. The five resisted arrest and the police had to physically restrain them. At the police station, the arrested subjects threatened the TCN in front of several witnesses (including the police),saying they were going to kill him as soon as they were released from prison. The police are looking for 10 other guards who were involved in this incident. ¶5. The police and the prosecutor advised the guard contractor's general manager they intend to prosecute the guards involved in this incident to the fullest extent of the law. While the arrested security guards will have the opportunity to post bail, the police believe it is unlikely they can afford it. The perpetrators are facing up to 18 months in prison. ¶6. The TCN was taken to the hospital to receive treatment for his injuries, which included lacerations on his hands and arms. The TCN departed Juba for Kenya the following day, fearing furthe attacks by those involved or their families. Some of the guards involved in this incident are members of locally well-connected and prominent families and tribes. Despite this, the security guard contractor said he intends to pursue this case through the full legal process. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶7. Southern Sudan is recovering from a lengthy civil war, has large numbers of displaced persons, suffers from an acute lack of development, offers limited economic opportunities for most local citizens, and has little civil society in place. These are the ingredients for discontent and animosity. Many locals may be resentful of outsiders-- including Kenyans, Ugandans and returning southerners-- who come to Juba and assume many of the management and leadership positions with the various international entities operating in the area. ¶8. It is disturbing that a group of employees believed they could attack their employer with impunity, and merits the urgent attention of the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS). This case will be a good test of how quickly and fairly the GoSS justice system can operate. RSO Khartoum will continue to monitor this case. STEINFELD