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UN evacuates fourth Chinese peacekeeper injured in South Sudan to Uganda for specialized treatment

Xinhua, July 15, 2016 Adjust font size:

UN on Thursday evacuated its fourth injured Chinese peacekeeper and an Ethiopian peacekeeper who sustained serious injuries in the recent fighting between two South Sudan rival army factions in the capital, Juba to Uganda for further specialized treatment.

Chen Ying and Birhan Gabrekidan who were among the eight injured peacekeepers under the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in the fighting between government troops of President Salva Kiir and forces loyal to Vice President Riek Machar in Juba were airlifted to Entebbe International airport and evacuated to Nakasero Hospital in the capital, Kampala, a UN Level three Hospital for further treatment.

Rosa Malango, UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda told Xinhua that her organization had to secure a specialized plane to airlift the two seriously wounded peacekeepers on Sunday after a armoured vehicle travelling on duty around UN compound in Juba was hit by a mortar shell.

"Their condition was very fragile. But now they are in better hands. They will get the best treatment and will recover,"said Malango.

Maj. Gen. Su Guanghui, Acting Director of the Peacekeeping Affairs Office of the Chinese Defense Ministry who arrived in the East African country on Thursday with his delegation, dispatched by Chinese President Xi Jinping in preparation for bringing back the remains of the two Chinese peacekeepers killed, paid a courtesy visit to the four injured Chinese soldiers at Nakasero Hospital.

The delegation, which includes officers from China's Central Military Commission, the Chinese Foreign Ministry as well as medical experts were received by Chinese Ambassador to Uganda, Zhao Yali at Entebbe International Airport, about 40 kilometers, south of the capital, Kampala.

Three of the injured Chinese and Rwandan peacekeepers who were also wounded in the Sunday attack were airlifted to Uganda on Wednesday for further treatment.

South Sudan's Health Ministry says at least 271 people were killed in Friday's clashes. The exact number of those killed in fighting since Sunday to Wednesday is not yet known.

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.

The local media reports show that the Monday evening ceasefire ordered by President Kiir and Vice President Machar was holding.

President Kiir directed all commanders to cease hostilities, control their forces and protect civilians. Endit