2nd LD Writethru: UN Security Council slams renewed violence in S. Sudan

The UN Security Council on Sunday condemned renewed violence in Unity State, South Sudan, which resulted in the displacement of more than 100,000 people and the suspension of aid delivery.

Thousands more fled the war zones in the southern part of the oil-rich Unity State as a result of recent clashes between government troops and rebels.

Due to the fighting, humanitarian agencies and organizations suspended the delivery of relief aid in the war zones, affecting more than 300,000 people. International aid bodies announced that they have pulled their staff out of the northern Unity State.

"The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the repeated violations of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement ... and underscored that there is no military solution to this conflict," the 15-nation UN body said in a statement.

The members of the council also condemned Friday's large-scale attack by rebels on the town of Malakal in Upper Nile State, the statement said.

The council expressed concern about the worsening of the humanitarian crisis in the country and renewed its call for the parties to the conflict to allow and facilitate the "full, safe and unhindered access" of humanitarian personnel, equipment and supplies to all those in need and timely delivery of humanitarian assistance.

It further condemned all human rights violations and abuses and demanded an immediate end to them, noting that the government bears the primary responsibility to protect the civilians from abuses and from potential crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The council members acknowledged the peace process led by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and urged renewed regional and international efforts to swiftly implement a common plan and to table a reasonable and comprehensive solution to end the crisis in South Sudan, the statement said.

Meanwhile, the council reiterated its full support for UN peacekeepers in South Sudan and demanded all parties end intimidation and harassment against the UN mission in the country and stop restrictions on freedom of movement.

South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011. The new country plunged into violence in December 2013, when fighting erupted between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and defectors headed by his former deputy Riek Machar.

The conflict soon turned into an all-out war, with violence taking on an ethnic dimension that pitted the president's Dinka tribe against Machar's Nuer ethnic group.

The clashes have left thousands of South Sudanese dead and forced around 1.9 million people to flee their homes. Endi