South Sudan to accord asylum to Ethiopian peacekeepers

JUBA –  A senior South Sudan foreign ministry official has said that the world’s youngest country will grant asylum to at least 15 Ethiopian soldiers who recently refused to return to their country for fear of persecution.

Earlier this week, fist fight involving machetes and sticks erupted among Ethiopian peacekeepers serving under UN mission in South Sudan as commanders tried to force the soldiers – mostly those from the Tigray region – to board plan for Addis Ababa where they fears government brutality, mainly because of the conflict in the northern Ethiopian region.

However, no death was reported, but dozens of soldiers had sustained serious injuries.

Deng Dau Deng, South Sudan deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation told Sudans Post that the government will not hesitate to grant asylum to Ethiopian peacekeepers through the country refugee commission.

“Anybody who seeks any protection from the government of South Sudan will be granted the protection through commission for refugees affairs which is mandated to undertake all the issues related to refugees,” Dau said.