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Uganda confirms death of citizens in renewed South Sudan fighting

Xinhua, July 13, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Ugandan government on Wednesday announced that at least ten of its citizens were killed and over ten others injured in the weekend renewed fighting between South Sudan's rival army factions in the capital Juba, a top foreign affairs official said here.

Henry Okello Oryem, Uganda's state minister for foreign affairs told Xinhua by telephone that the deceased and injured were caught up in the fighting between government troops of President Salva Kiir and forces loyal to Vice President Riek Machar.

"I am going to get a full briefing on the number of people who were killed and injured in the South Sudan fighting. I can confirm we lost ten people and over ten injured," said Okello.

The minister said arrangements are being made to return the remains of the dead and evacuate the injured to the East African country for burial and treatment respectively.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Monday condemned the killings and renewed fighting in the world's newest nation.

"The renewed fighting is outrageous. It is yet another grievous setback. It deepens the country's suffering," Ban told reporters. "It makes a mockery of commitments to peace."

Oryem said Ugandan military troops on Tuesday evening crossed into Nisitu, about 40 kilometers, east of the capital, Juba to help in evacuation of the country's citizens trapped in the violence.

"UPDF (Uganda People Defense Forces) have crossed into South Sudan to help with the evacuation exercise of our people. The troops will help to clear the road and evacuate Ugandans through the Eastern Route of South Sudan," said Oryem.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Tuesday ordered the country's military to immediately evacuate its citizens trapped in the fighting.

The East African country sent some 30 trucks to transport its citizens caught up in the crossfire exchange between the rival army forces.

There are fears that the war-torn country could descend into civil war again.

President Kiir and former rebel leader Machar have fought a civil war which broke out in December 2013 and left tens of thousands of people dead.

A peace deal signed by the two men last August under UN pressure led to the formation of a national government in April with Machar returning to his old post. Endit