UN Security Council, EU,Troika condemn Malakal attack
February 20, 2016 (NEW YORK) – The United Nations Security Council (UNSC), European Union (EU) and Troika countries (United States, United Kingdom and Norway) have condemned the recent killing of civilians inside a United Nations camp in Malakal which hosts over 47,000 of internally displaced persons (IDPs). They accused government forces of taking part in the attacks on Shilluk and Nuer communities in the camp.
In a strong-worded statement on Friday, the UN Security Council also accused members of the South Sudanese government’s forces for involving in the fighting which initially broke out between members of the Dinka and Shilluk ethnic groups inside the camp.
“The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the violence committed by elements of the Shilluk and Dinka communities, which erupted in the protection of civilians site in Malakal, South Sudan on February 17 and continued on February 18, resulting in over 18 deaths and 50 injured,” the statement extended to Sudan Tribune said.
“The members of the Security Council were particularly alarmed by credible reports of armed men in SPLA uniforms entering the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) camp and firing on civilians, and the looting and burning of tents,” it said.
It said the Security Council condemned in the “strongest terms all attacks and provocations against civilians and the United Nations by armed actors, including SPLA soldiers,” and reminded all parties, including government security forces, of the civilian character of the protection of civilian sites in South Sudan.
The statement called on the South Sudanese government to “swiftly investigate” this attack, with the assistance of UNMISS, and bring the perpetrators to justice, saying this crime may constitute a war crime.
“The members of the Security Council stressed that attacks against civilians and UN premises may constitute war crimes, and those involved could be potentially subject to sanctions as authorized under resolution 2206 for actions that threaten the peace, security or stability of South Sudan,” it further warned.
The Council reiterated their full support for UNMISS, as mandated by the Security Council in resolution 2252 (2015), and urged all parties to facilitate UNMISS’ freedom of movement and access.
The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the families of those who were killed as a result of the violence.
EU, TROIKA CONDEMN THE VIOLENCE
Meanwhile the European Union (EU) and Troika countries (US, UK, and Norway) issued separate statements on Friday condemning the violence in Malakal’s UNMISS camp.
“The Heads of Mission condemn the outrageous attacks on civilians that occurred starting Wednesday within the United Nations’ Protection of Civilians site in Malakal, South Sudan, carried out by elements that are still to be determined. These attacks killed at least 18 civilians, including two humanitarian workers, wounded ninety and led more than 25000 to flee their shelters to secure areas off the site,” the EU statement partly reads.
The EU also accuses South Sudanese government’s forces for involving in the attack against the civilians and called for investigation into the incident.
“The Heads of Mission, while awaiting the outcome of the formal investigation by CTSAMM, call on the Government of South Sudan to investigate and respond to credible reports that its forces were involved in these attacks, which may constitute war crimes,” it said.
EU further urged all forces in the vicinity to exercise restraint and refrain from any activity that could risk escalating the situation.
The EU delegation and heads of mission which signed the statement included Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, The United Kingdom and the Heads of Mission of Canada, Japan and Switzerland.
Troika countries (US, UK, and Norway) also condemned what they said was “credible reports” that government troops took part in the massacre of the civilians inside the UN compound.
“We, the Heads of Mission of the United States, United Kingdom, and Norway (Troika), condemn in the strongest terms the violence that occurred at the UN Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) protection of civilians (PoC) site in Malakal,” Troika statement says..
“We are particularly concerned by credible reports of the role the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) forces stationed outside the UNMISS camp played in escalating and contributing to the violence,” it said.
The statement further called on the government of South Sudan to “immediately conduct an investigation of this violence to identify those responsible, including SPLA forces,” in order to bring perpetrators to justice and prevent similar incidents anywhere in South Sudan.
They also caled for unhindered access for UNMISS and the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring Mechanism to conduct their own independent investigation of the incident.
They also blamed President Kiir’s government for unilaterally creating 28 states, which they said impacted on the current violence in the region, and called on President Kiir to suspend the 28 states until further review.
“The tragic events in Malakal demonstrate the destabilizing impact of the issuance of the 28 states decree without local consultation, which has stoked community tensions over fears of a loss of land rights. We call on President Salva Kiir Mayardit to abide by the IGAD Council of Ministers Communique of 31 January 2016 and suspend further implementation of the decree until review by an inclusive, participatory boundary commission,” the Troika statement further reads.
They called on the parties to implement the security arrangements for the national capital, Juba, so as to form a transitional unity government.
“As the Troika continues to engage with South Sudanese parties to implement terms of the August 2015 Peace Agreement, we use this occasion to call for calm and restraint from all parties, including the Government of the Republic of South Sudan, the SPLM-IO forces near Malakal and elsewhere.”
“At this moment, we urge all parties not to fall into the deadly trap of retributive violence, but rather recommit to full and speedy implementation of the August 2015 agreement,” said.
TENS OF THOUSANDS DISPLACED
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says up to 26,000 more people may have been displaced by the Malakal fighting inside the UNMISS camp.
Preliminary information indicates 18 people were killed and more than 90 wounded, but there are fears that the number may increase as members of the Nuer civilians also got killed inside the camp.
A number of civilians remain in very critical conditions. Two clinics, run by the International Organization for Immigration (IOM) and International Medical Corps (IMC), were looted. Some 4,000 displaced Dinka fled to Malakal town, while tens of thousands of Nuer and Shilluk IDPs sought refuge at the UNMISS.
“We have received reports that some 26,000 internally displaced people have fled into the UNMISS base, but we are unable to confirm the number given the fluidity of the situation,” UNHCR report says.
According to government sources, IDPs who fled to Malakal town have found safety in churches and schools. Médecins Sans Frontières confirmed that 18 people have been killed, including two of their staff.
Fire has heavily damaged the POC site, it said, with food, shelter and water being the priority needs currently as children and the elderly are
among the most affected.
(ST)