Two civilians “seriously” injured at UNMISS base in Juba

February 7, 2016 (JUBA) – Two people, including a child, were seriously injured when unknown people exchanged fire outside the United Nations protection of civilian site at Jebel, a Juba suburb, residents said Sunday.

An eye witness, only identified as Gatluak, said one Magany, has been operating in the area for almost six months and harassing people, in addition to looting properties.

“This person has been shooting people at the gate. This is the usual job he does and no one has ever minded about his activities,” he said.

According to Gatluak, there are several criminals operating around the UN camps, who are involved in raiding civilian settlements and properties.

Nyaduel Par, another resident, said she witnessed fights between nine men outside the UN gate on Sunday morning as she headed for church service.

“It was at 8:00 am this morning when my sisters and I tried to cross the gate. As we approached it, suddenly gun firing started and we ran back to our Rukuba[tent],” she said.

It is not yet clear what caused the fighting at the UN gate, which some people attributed to disagreement among the gangs over looted properties.

Officials from the UN mission in South Sudan are yet to react to Sunday’s incident at the camp, which houses thousands of civilians displaced by the 21-months long South Sudanese conflict.

(ST).