Military, armed youth clash in S. Sudan’s Upper Nile state

December 12, 2014 (JUBA) – The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has reported an outbreak of “heavy” fighting between the government troops and armed youth in the country’s Upper Nile state.

“The armed youth were seen retreating to the east,” said Stephane Dujarric, adding “The same day, the mission received reports of fighting between the government troops and opposition forces about 40 km southeast of Renk in Upper Nile state”.

The one-year conflict continues with both warring parties blaming the other of violating a cessation of hostilities agreement they signed early this year and re-committed to months later.

Peace talks between the government of president Salva Kiir and rebels led by his former deputy Riek Machar are due next week after being postponed for consultation meetings by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which is mediating talks.

On Thursday, the head of UNMISS, Ellen Margrethe Loej, urged South Sudan’s warring parties to move swiftly to end the country’s ongoing conflict by “injecting a new sense of urgency” to the peace talks.

She said the new mandate of peacekeepers mainly focuses on protection of civilians sends a clear message to political leaders.

“The mission will continue to undertake the monitoring and reporting on human rights violations. We recognise that accountability remains a key issue in South Sudan,” she said.

“A legacy of impunity for serious human rights violations in the past has contributed to the contributed to the current crisis. This legacy must stop. And, stop now,” she added.

To date, hundreds of thousands of civilians remain at UNMISS protection sites a year after fighting broke out in the capital, Juba.

The United States, European Union and Canada have imposed sanctions on leaders from both sides of the conflict over their alleged involvement in obstructing the peace process.

(ST)