Roundup: UN, ICRC decry latest fighting in South Sudan's town

The UN mission and international aid agency have decried renewed fighting between armed militia and government forces in Wau, northwest of South Sudan which has displaced thousands of civilians.

In separate statements received on Monday, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it's seriously concerned by the immediate humanitarian consequences on the civilian population.

"How many times will South Sudanese civilians be forced to flee battle zones?" said Gregor Mueller, ICRC's Deputy Head of Delegation for South Sudan.

Mueller called on the warring factions to ceasefire and allow humanitarian access to reach displaced persons without conditions.

"We again ask those involved in the fighting to not target civilians, medical facilities and humanitarian workers. Aid workers must be allowed to work," he added.

"People trying to escape hostilities must be allowed to travel unimpeded. These are obligations under International Humanitarian Law," he added.

The relief agency said the latest upheaval will greatly harm people's ability to feed and shelter their families after two-and-a-half years of fighting across the country, long term conflict that has triggered severe food needs in parts of South Sudan.

The incident comes barely a week after ICRC evacuated 17 wounded persons from the town of Raja, an administrative capital of Lol state following violent clashes there that left dozens of casualties.

The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said it's deploying additional capabilities to the area to provide protection to approximately 10,000 civilians in Wau.

"At this time, UNMISS military forces have created a security cordon around an area adjacent to the UN base and peacekeepers are conducting active patrolling to ensure the safety of the displaced civilians within this area," it said in a statement.

"This area is currently secure and humanitarian partners are providing basic assistance to the displaced people," it said.

The UN mission said it's currently negotiating with the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) for access to Wau town to conduct additional patrols to protect the civilian population in the town.

"UNMISS wishes to clarify that opening its gates are not a first line of response in the protection of civilians. Opening the gates is an exceptional measure of last resort to be undertaken only when all other means of protection have been exhausted," it said.

It said the UN bases are not designed to serve as shelters for displaced populations."At this time, UNMISS is continuing to provide a secure environment for those displaced by the violence in Wau adjacent to its base." Endit