Ki moon condemns S. Sudan violence, urges civilian protection

February 25, 2016 (JUBA) – The United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki moon has strongly condemned the most recent outbreak of violence at the UN protection of civilians site in Malakal, the Upper Nile state capital, urging the South Sudanese government to conduct full investigations and bring the perpetrators to account.

Speaking during his visit to the young nation on Thursday, Ki moon reiterated the UN’s commitment to protection of civilians, both within the established UN protection sites and elsewhere in the country, and urged the government to allow unfettered access to UN personnel and humanitarian partners.

“All parties must respect these sites,” said the UN chief, adding that “Attacks against civilians, peacekeepers and UN premises – such as in Malakal last week – violate international humanitarian law and must stop”.

He said his visit, the second since the country’s independence, underscores the UN’s commitment to the peace process and the future of South Sudan.

While in Juba, Ki moon met president Salva Kiir had a phone conversation with rebel leader, Riek Machar, now South Sudan’s first vice president.

The people of South Sudan, he said, have been betrayed by those who put power and profit over people, despite suffering decades of bloody civil war.

According to the world body, over 2 million people have been forced from their homes, while some 200,000 people are being protected in our camps.

Ki moon said the UN has, since the violence outbreak, protected civilians in South Sudan.

“By doing so [protecting civilians], thousands of lives were saved,” he stressed, but added that the protection camps are not a long-term solution.

AID WORKERS TARGETED

Meanwhile Ki moon expressed concerns that aid workers in South Sudan were continuously being targeted, despite assurances for safe and unhindered access in the peace agreement by South Sudanese authorities.

At least 45 aid workers have reportedly been killed in the world’s youngest nation over the last two years and more are said to have gone missing.

“I urge all parties to remove restrictions on the freedom of movement of the United Nations and humanitarian actors and ensure access to people in need of protection, and life-saving aid,” the UN chief told reporters in Juba.

The UN, Ki moon said, will allocate $21 million from its Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for the people of South Sudan. The fund, he said, would provide protection and relief to South Sudanese, mostly in need.

South Sudan’s Humanitarian Response Plan is reportedly only 3% funded, yet over $1.3 billion is needed to address needs of over 5 million people in South Sudan, this year alone.

(ST)