South Sudan regrets detention of its diplomat over rape incident in New York

JUBA – South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said in a statement on Tuesday that it has learned with regret of the alleged rape incident involving one of its diplomats at the country’s permanent mission to United Nations in New York, United States.

Charles Dickens Imene Oliha, 46, a career diplomat for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in South Sudan was 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.

According to the report, after the assault, the woman was in shock and went to sleep, only filing a report after a friend convinced her to go to the police.

The victim was then taken to Columbia University Medical Center for medical attention.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, this morning 23^rd August 2022, has learned with regret the alleged rape incident involving one of its diplomats at the Permanent Mission in New York,” the ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement seen by Sudans Post on Tuesday.

It said the report from the Permanent Mission indicated that one of its diplomats was accused of rape by one of the locals in New York City.

“However; as per the report, the investigation is still ongoing and will soon have clearer details of what has transpired in that incident,” it said.

“The administration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is paying keen attention to this report and will urgently take appropriate measures to address it.”