Gov’t grounds four UN planes grounded over spy gear, smuggling claims

JUBA – South Sudan has grounded four aircraft belonging to the U.N. Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) following allegations of illegal surveillance activities and the smuggling of natural resources, the government announced on Saturday.

Speaking to heads of foreign missions in Juba, Foreign Affairs Minister Monday Semaya Kumba said two of the aircraft were found to be equipped with Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance systems (ISR technology) and missile-protection equipment.

Kumba stated that the government of the Republic of South Sudan “found and disclosed two UNMIS aircraft with numbers UNO-570P and UNO-571P equipped with intelligence surveillance recorders ISR and missile protection.”

He added that “Through our intelligence, we found that these aircraft were equipped with surveillance systems,” describing the matter as a serious national security issue.

Kumba said that two other aircraft were allegedly involved in smuggling sandalwood between South Sudan and neighboring Sudan.

“We also found that another two aircrafts with signals UNO-535P and UNO-536P engaged in smuggling the natural resources, namely sandalwood, between South Sudan and Sudan and we have initial evidence for that,” he said.

Mr. Kumba said the findings had been shared with UNMISS, which indicated it had no prior knowledge of the aircraft’s activities.

Following the disclosure, the government established an investigation committee whose report has been submitted to the relevant authorities. The findings formed the basis for the government’s decision to ground the four aircraft, he said.

The foreign minister stressed that the government was not accusing UNMISS of wrongdoing, noting that the aircraft were operating under contractual arrangements between operators and contractors linked to the United Nations.

Kumba also addressed the wider aviation operations under UNMISS, saying the mission works with nine civilian aviation companies and one military aviation company from Rwanda.

He said UNMISS had since terminated the contract of the Rwandan military aircraft company, a decision the South Sudanese government did not oppose.

“We respect that decision because we are not part of the contractual terms,” he said.

The minister also commented on the UNMISS contingency plan, saying the government was not consulted before it was finalized but remained committed to cooperating with the U.N. mission.

He rejected allegations that South Sudan had obstructed UNMISS troop movements or rotations, calling the claims unfounded.

Kumba said the government would continue working with UNMISS to implement the contingency plan in a way that safeguards national interests while supporting the U.N. mission’s mandate.

He emphasized, however, that the grounded aircraft issue must be handled separately: “However, the position of the government of South Sudan is that the case of the grounded aircraft should also be treated separately from the contingency plan. This is a very serious security matter.”

Kumba concluded by noting the investigation was complete: “We have already reached a conclusion from the report from the investigation committee in which I will also be sharing this report with UNMIS and I believe we will find a ground.”