The UN strongly criticized Southern Sudan president Salva Kiir Mayardit on obstructing the Organization’s attempts to protect innocent civilians, after he failed to give his permission to UN helicopters and drones. Mayardit has also stated that any UN member arrested while taking pictures will be considered a spy.

The person responsible of the UN Peacekeeping mission in the area stated that the Organizations’ mission statement was to protect 136,000 innocent civilians protected by seven UN outposts around Southern Sudan.