UNSC condemns renewed violence in South Sudan, threatens sanctions
November 6, 2014 (NEW YORK) – The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has strongly condemned the renewed deadly clashes between warring factions in South Sudan and threatened to impose sanctions on those seen to be impeding the ongoing peace process in order to end the war.
“The members of the Security Council expressed their alarm and outrage at the resumption of hostilities between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and Opposition forces in Bentiu and Rubkhona, Unity State, South Sudan on 26-30 October, and along the Sobat River in Upper Nile State on 2 November,” reads the statement issued by the Council’s president, Gary Quinlan.
“The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms these acts that resulted in the death and injury of civilians, violated cessation of hostilities agreements, and demonstrated an absence of commitment by both sides to peace and the political process,” it reads.
The statement further underlined that the hostilities were magnifying an already serious humanitarian crisis which has displaced a total of more than 1.8 million South Sudanese.
The Security Council threatened “appropriate measures, including targeted sanctions against those impeding the peace process.”
The Council demanded an immediate end to all violence, and reiterated their demand to end human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law.
They also renewed their call upon the government of South Sudan to take steps to ensure the safety of all civilians and to swiftly investigate incidents of human rights abuses, and to bring the perpetrators of these “heinous acts” to justice.
UNSC also confirmed its strong support to the peace process mediated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), adding that it would also look forward to the results of the forthcoming investigation from the IGAD Monitoring and Verification Mechanism on the outbreak of violence.
The Council also welcomed the next IGAD Summit currently scheduled for Thursday, 6 November, to “press president Salva Kiir and Dr Riek Machar to urgently reach agreement on inclusive and comprehensive arrangements for a Transitional Government of National Unity”.
The world body reiterated what it said was steadfast support for UNMISS and its vital mission on behalf of the international community to protect civilians in South Sudan, “conduct human rights monitoring and investigations, facilitate humanitarian assistance to populations in need, and support monitoring of the cessation of hostilities agreement”.
The statement further condemned the recent detentions of three UNMISS personnel and the kidnappings of two UN-affiliated personnel by the government’s security operatives.
“The members of the Security Council demanded their immediate and safe release, and called upon the Government of South Sudan to swiftly investigate these incidents and to ensure that justice is served,” the statement says.
The members of the Council renewed their demand that all parties cooperate fully with UNMISS and respect the inviolability of UNMISS protection sites.
The statement also condemned violations of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and stressed that threats and attacks on United Nations personnel and facilities are unacceptable and may constitute a violation of international law.
The highest security organ of the world body also expressed concern about the “increased harassment and targeting” of NGOs and humanitarian workers, as well as journalists, in South Sudan.
It said the body was also looking forward to the final report of the AU Commission of Inquiry.
Tens of thousands have died, 1.8 million displaced while over 4 million others threatened by hunger and diseases since the outbreak of violence in mid-December.
Both sides in the conflict have traded accusations over which group instigated the recent violence in a conflict which started as a misunderstanding within the leadership of the ruling party, the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM).
The ongoing IGAD-mediated peace talks in Ethiopia is the only hope to try to end the violent crisis.
(ST)