UN Security Council deeply alarmed at fighting in South Sudan

The UN Security Council on Friday expressed "deep alarm at the fighting" in Wau, a town in northwestern South Sudan, which broke out on June 24 and has resulted in the displacement of an estimated 70,000 people, including 12,000 sheltering near the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) base in Wau.

The 15-nation council, in a statement issued to the press here, called on all armed actors immediately to cease hostilities and allow UNMISS and humanitarian access to civilians in need, including a school where 9,000 civilians are reportedly sheltering.

"The members of the Security Council acknowledged the formation of the investigation committee by the Transitional Government of National Unity and urged the Transitional Government of National Unity to quickly investigate the attack and hold those responsible to account," the statement said.

South Sudan has confirmed that at least 43 people were killed in fighting which began last week between armed groups and government forces in Wau.

The fighting erupted last week after the dismissal of the incumbent governor of Wau by South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, leading to instability in the town, with fighting breaking out between the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) and youth associated with the opposition.

"The members of the Security Council expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence throughout the country and demanded that the parties to the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan expedite implementation of all aspects of the Agreement as a means to restoring peace in South Sudan," the statement said.

The council members reiterated that attacks against civilians may constitute war crimes and those involved could be potentially subject to sanctions as authorized under resolution 2206 (2015) for actions that threaten the peace, security or stability of South Sudan, it said. Enditem