UN says over 500 displaced people arrive in Unity state
May 7, 2015 (BENTIU) – The United Nation mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said over 500 displaced people have arrived at its protection of civilians site in the Unity state capital, Bentiu since 3 May.
Most of them, the UN said, came from Guit county and the area of Nhialdiu in Rubkona county, where heavy fighting reportedly took place between pro-government Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) troops and the armed opposition forces.
This new influx of displaced people reportedly brings to 53,000 the total number of civilians protected at the UNMISS site in Bentiu.
Meanwhile UNMISS said it was aware of reports that South Sudan army have gained control of Nhialdiu territory and Guit county that was under the control of the armed opposition forces for some time, but was unable to independently verify these reports.
The mission also expressed concerns that its patrols in Bentiu face movement restrictions impeding monitoring and protection activities outside the protections site.
Tens of thousands of people have been killed and nearly two million displaced since the outbreak of violent conflict in the South Sudanese capital in mid-December 2013.
(ST)