UN peacekeepers demand unhindered access to Juba suburbs
July 12, 2016 (JUBA) – United Nations peacekeepers in South Sudan are demanding unlimited access to all corners of the capital, Juba, following four days of deadly clashes between rival forces that forced thousands of civilians out of their homes.
“The Special Representative of the Secretary-General urges security forces in Juba to allow unhindered access to UNMISS patrols to reassure and protect the civilian population and calls on the parties to allow civilians to move freely to places of refuge and to lift movement restrictions,” UNMISS said in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Tuesday.
“The Government must uphold its responsibility and open up corridors to allow UN and humanitarian actors to provide vital supplies and other assistance to the affected civilians, as well as access for medical evacuations. This includes undertaking urgent measures to secure and reopen Juba International Airport as a matter of priority,” the statement partly reads.
Clashes erupted on Friday between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those allied to First Vice President Riek Machar, leading to deaths of hundreds of soldiers on both sides.
According to information minister, Michael Makuei Lueth, more than 300 soldiers were killed on Friday during the two hours battle at the presidential palace, J1, in Juba.
President Kiir and his deputy Machar were meeting on the fateful day when clashes erupted between their guards. It is not clear how the fighting started, with opposition group claiming that their bodyguards of Machar came under surprise attack outside the palace in what they said appeared to be a pre-planned action to harm Machar.
But Friday clashes followed killing of five SPLA soldiers under the command of president Kiir on Thursday reportedly gunned down by the SPLM IO of his deputy, Machar, when the two sides clashed on Gudele road.
Fighting resumed on Sunday when several thousands of government troops, backed by helicopter gunships and tanks overwhelmed Machar’s 1,200 soldiers and dislodged him from his base on Monday morning before declaring a ceasefire in the evening.
Juba residents reported limited business in town and few shops are opening. Most of the shops have been looted, allegedly by government forces who controlled the city during the skirmish. Thousands of civilians have fled to UNMISS and several churches for protection against the warring forces.
UNMISS also demanded that the government reopens Juba International Airport which remained closed during the clashes.
Regional bloc, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which brokered the peace agreement between Kiir and Machar, has called on the government to hand over security of the main airport to UNMISS, something the government quickly rejected.
Government has officially announced the reopening of Juba airport and called on commercial airlines to resume their flights to Juba as calm has returned to the city.
(ST)