Eight people died and dozens wounded in UN compounds in South Sudan

July 11, 2016 (JUBA) – Eight civilians have died and over 67 others have sustained minor and severe injuries in the last 24 hours of fighting in South Sudan, says the United Nation Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

UNMISS said 7,000 people have been displaced as a result of continued fighting in the South Sudanese national capital, Juba, which resumed on Monday morning at 9:00 am, posing severe conditions on the civilian population.

The UN mission added that the heavy fighting which occurred in Juba town has forced more civilians to seek protection at UN House in Jebel and the Tomping compounds near the airport.

“The United Nations condemns in the strongest terms possible the use of heavy weapons, including rockets from attack helicopters, close to UNMISS protection of civilians sites and is gravely concerned about reports that armed forces have prevented civilians from seeking protection,” the statement added.

The UN has reiterated its call to the parties to respect the civilian nature of the UNMISS PoC sites and inviolability of UN premises.

The world body say it compounds are caught directly between the fighting and continue to sustain impacts from small arms and heavy weapons fire.

“UN peacekeepers, including military and police units, remain mobilized to protect UNMISS bases in UN House and Tomping, including the civilians that have fled the fighting, and UNMISS protection of civilians sites,” it added.

The UN mission has underlined that its capacity to protect civilians will be increasingly challenged if the heavy attacks around UN compounds and protection of civilians’ sites continues.

“The United Nations condemns any deliberate targeting of UN premises and its personnel, which constitutes a serious violation of international law,” the statement added.

The UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General renewed calls on South Sudan leadership to immediately restrain their forces and bring an end to the fighting.

He is also gravely concerned about violence spreading to other parts of South Sudan, adding it was regrettable about the death of two Rwandan nationals and Chinese peace keepers who died in crossfire following the fighting in Juba.

The two top rival leaders, President Salva Kiir and his first deputy, Riek Machar, have on Monday declared ceasefire to come into effect on 12 noon, Tuesday, and 8:00 pm, Monday, respectively.

(ST)