Gov’t accuses UN mission of illegally issuing COVID-19-free test certificates

JUBA – South Sudan government has accused the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) of illegally issuing fake COVID-19-free test certificates after the government said last week that some individuals were issuing unauthorized certificates at Juba airport.

The National High-level Taskforce on COVID-19 said in a communication dated August 26, but released this afternoon that it has evidence to support “allegation that UNMISS was issuing COVID-19 free test certificates to their staff parallel to the Public Health Laboratory.”

The communication seen by Sudans Post said the UN mission’s action contradicts the agreement between the government’s ministry of health and the peace mission on the issuance of COVID-19 certificates and ordered for the  withdrawal of COVID-19 certificates issuance authority from UNMISS.

“This act contravenes the agreement between UNMISS and the Ministry of Health. Henceforth, the Public Health Laboratory is urged to withdraw the authority from UNMISS with immediate effect,” it said.

The communication however said it still permits staffs of the “UN and all humanitarian organizations to move freely without any restrictions once already in the country with the view that they have undergone mandatory fourteen days self-isolation to allow them respond to emergencies.”

It further directed the Secretary of the Taskforce to “equally respond to UNMISS concerning their request but should be mindful of COVID-19 free test certificate and fourteen days quarantine to that effect.”