One killed, dozens injured at a UN camp in South Sudan
March 20, 2016 (JUBA) – One person died and over 50 were wounded when fighting broke out between angry youths at a United Nations protection of civilian camp in Juba, South Sudan.
Several members from the eastern Nuer section were pushed out of the protection camp as western Nuers remained in control of the site, a source told Sudan Tribune.
Lieth Gattiek who lives at the UN site said he also witnessed the violent incident.
“I saw so many people, having been wounded as the result of youth clashes in the UN camp. And many more are in dire critical conditions without immediate medical attention,” said Gattiek.
The youth allegedly fought using pangas, stones, knives as well as involving sticks.
According to Gattiek, the fight began after two young men failed to agree over a game result, but later involved others within the camp.
Jal Chuol, a nurse working with International Medical Corps (IMC), said they received nearly 60 wounded patients at their facility.
“Already, we have treated 59 people with both minor and severe injuries in our health unit. But we cannot determine whether these will be final numbers as the youth continue with violence,” said Chuol.
The incident also saw UN Police to fire teargas to disperse the angry youth.
Elizi Nyayub, one of those living at the UN camp, also confirmed the violent clashes, anticipating the injured to be “very” high in numbers.
Nyayub said fighting only stop after UN police intervened with the use of teargas, pushing most of the aggressors away from the scene.
“When the UN police came out and began firing teargas at the aggressors, it stopped for two hours. But again the youth regrouped and started fighting one another,” she told Sudan Tribune Saturday.
Shantal Persaud, the acting spokesperson for the UN mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), could not confirm nor deny the violent incident, but vowed to reply our email inquiry.
The UN protection of civilian camp in Jebel reportedly shelters over 20,000 people, majority of whom fled their homes after violence broke out in Juba mid-December 2013.
(ST)