An investigative assessment team, led by Dr. Riak Gal Kok, Minister of Health of South Sudan, was dispatched to Wau by the Republican Order to assess the situation on the ground in the aftermath of deadly clashes during the last week of June.
 
Upon arrival, the team was briefed by the UNMISS HoFo, Mr. Mustapha Tejan-Kella.  Mr. Tejan-Kella spoke of the challenges that the mission is encountering, and the need for the assessment team to convey to their prime concerns to the authorities.

These concerns entail the requirement for the mission’s freedom of movement throughout the affected areas in order to patrol for security purposes, as well as to open up the path for humanitarian agencies to deliver aid to the populations in need.

The HoFo also explained to the team that the mission is working as close as possible with the local government authorities to ensure protection of the influx of IDP’s, currently 35,000 lives have been uprooted, tens of thousands of them currently seeking shelter within protected areas, adjacent to the UNMISS base (Catholic church, Don Bosco compound).
 
The Minister commended the mission’s continued commitment to the people of South Sudan, specifically its role in the protection of lives, and the delivery of life saving aid.  

“The Republican Order gave us a specific mandate, to come here to Wau. The first pillar is to investigate what took place here during those days in June, the second pillar is to assess the existing humanitarian needs, and the third pillar is how to mitigate the current suffering; to come up with concise recommendations for this,” said the Minister.

Dr. Kok went on to explain that his team has spoken to witnesses to recount the atrocities, and will do everything in its power not to let any prejudice or bias effect his teams efforts and findings.