UN Chief condemns South Sudan leaders as hostilities intensify

The United Nations has strongly condemned the escalation of hostilities in South Sudan in the past ten days.  These hostilities are between government forces allied to President Salva Kiir on one hand and opposition forces led by Riek Machar on the other. The last ten days have seen some of the worst violence especially in Unity and Upper Nile States of South Sudan

In a statement released by UN Secretary-General’ spokesperson, the UN said  renewed fighting between the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) and the SPLA in Opposition and allied groups is unacceptable, is part of a series of violations of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement signed by the parties on 23 January 2014 and undermines the ongoing Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) efforts to find a political solution to the conflict.

The statement said Mr. Ban Ki-moon is appalled by the reports of human rights violations committed by the SPLA and their allied forces.  These violations include the burning of villages, killing and rape of civilians, in the course of their military operations in Unity state.

The Secretary-General called upon President Salva Kiir and former Vice-President Riek Machar to immediately cease all military operations and he reminded them of their obligations to protect civilians under international human rights and humanitarian law after two mortar bombs landed within the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) compound Tuesday evening, killing four people.

The UN said further that Mr. Ban Ki-moon, “..deplores the death of four internally displaced persons (IDPs) caught in the cross-fire in within the UNMISS compound of Melut,” the statement said.

The UN has reminded the warring parties of the need to respect the inviolability of UNMISS premises, including protection of civilian sites which are now host to more than 120,000 IDPs. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, “demands that immediate national investigations be conducted so that those responsible for these crimes are held accountable by their respective leadership,” the statement emphasised.

In addition to the four civilian deaths, eight civilians were injured and are currently receiving treatment for their wounds.  This is according to another statement released by the UN Mission (UNMISS), which also expressed deep concern about the disregard for civilian lives in South Sudan.

UNMISS head, Ellen Margrethe Loj said a statement on Wednesday that  the warring parties need to be mindful of their obligation to take all measures not to harm civilians.  She also pointed out the need for necessary guarantees regarding the safety of international aid organisations and UN personnel and assets.

(source: United Nations)

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