By Tereza Jeremiah Chuei
The South Sudan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said it has suspended its diplomat to the United Nations, Ambassador Charles Dickens Imene Oliha over alleged rape in the United States.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in a press statement issued yesterday disclosed that it has suspended Amb. Oliha from his duties and recalled him back to Juba until further investigation is done.
The Ministry stressed that the accused career diplomat awaits the outcome of the investigation by a specialized committee, adding that the diplomat in question is currently back to South Sudan.
The accused South Sudanese diplomat was on the Country Mission to United Nations in New York, where he was accused of involving in an alleged rape incident.
The alleged rape attack was 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.
Before Oliha was arrested, the victim had told the police that she was working her dog around noon, when she was approached by a man in the lobby of her building, New York Post reported.
“The Man is alleged to have told the woman he was going to follow her upstairs to which she responded ‘No, you’re not’,” the report said.
“The alleged assault is said to have occurred around lunchtime on Sunday, the suspect persisted, and as she opened the door to her apartment, the man forced his way inside and pinned her against the wall,”
“It is with regret that our diplomat was involved in an alleged rape incident with one of New York City resident,” an earlier statement from the gov’t seen by No.1 Citizen Daily Newspaper stated.
“The Leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation took the decision to immediately recall the diplomat in question, pending a full investigation from specialized committee,” read part of the statement.
However, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated that the government of South Sudan and the Ministry’s position is that sexual misconduct in any shape or form is atrocious and solely unacceptable.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and indeed the extended government of South Sudan stand with victims of sexual assault everywhere and are committed to continue to safeguard all those at risk of sexual violence,” it added.