Kiir lifts immunity of diplomat implicated in rape case in U.S

JUBA – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Friday lifted the immunity of a United Nations-based diplomat accused of rape in the United States of America, government spokesman and information minister Michael Makuei Lueth says.

Charles Dickens Imene Oliha, 46, a career diplomat for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in South Sudan was briefly arrested on Sunday following an alleged sexual assault in upper Manhattan.

The alleged attack is said to have occurred around lunchtime in the same building where Oliha resides.

Oliha was released by New York Police Department (NYPD) officers after they were informed of his diplomatic immunity that comes from his role at the United Nations.

The victim told police how she was walking her dog around noon when she was approached by a man in the lobby of her building.

Speaking to reporters on Friday following a regular cabinet meeting on Friday, Makuei said the behavior of the UN-based diplomat is outrageous and said the meeting further decided to lift the immunity of the diplomat.

“Under any other business, the minister of cabinet affairs and international cooperation briefed the cabinet on the case of the South Sudanese diplomat Charles Oliha … that diplomat was accused of allegedly committed rape in the USA and because he is a diplomat they will not do anything to him and so the ministry of foreign affairs decided to recall him he is now here in the South,” Makuei said.

“The cabinet condemns the act, in all aspect and it is really dismaying that our diplomat committed such an offense. Even though it is not yet confirm. Nevertheless, to be accused of an offence of that nature, and being a diplomat, is really outrageous,” he added.

Makur further said the cabinet decision and this action has already been taken by the ministry. The ministry has already suspended him, and the cabinet added that his immunity should be lifted so that the law can take its course.”