Hundreds displaced by South Sudan violence, says UN

July 10, 2016 (JUBA) – The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has expressed outrage at the resumption of violence in the capital, Juba, saying it has severely impacted on the civilian population.

About 1,000 internally displaced people were reportedly forced out of the UNMISS protection of civilians site into the UN premises at its base at Jebel, a Juba suburb.

“The heavy fighting downtown Juba has forced hundreds of civilians to seek protection at UNMISS’ Tomping base,” the UN said in a statement issued on Sunday.

Heavy fighting occurred in Juba town, including in close proximity to UNMISS compounds, with sustained impacts from small arms and heavy weapons fire, the UN said.

The UN urged all warring parties to respect it sanctity, condemning any “deliberate” targeting of its premises and personnel. It vowed to continue protecting displaced people.

Meanwhile, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ellen Margrethe Loej, directly called on the leadership at the highest level in South Sudan to immediately restrain their forces, engage in dialogue to find a political solution to this crisis and allow access to the UN to be able to patrol in order to reassure the civilian population.

The UN Security Council “strongly condemned” the outbreak of fighting in Juba between armed forces loyal to South Sudan president, Salva Kiir and his deputy, Riek Machar.

(ST)