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UN urges restraint as S. Sudan violence escalates

Xinhua, April 15, 2017 Adjust font size:

The UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan UNMISS Saturday called on the warring parties to show restraint amid escalating violence in the conflict-ridden country.

Moustapha Soumare, Acting Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, called for ceasefire and urged the parties to commit to their responsibility towards protecting civilians from conflict.

"During this holy celebration of Easter, which for many symbolizes reconciliation and the rebirth of hope, I call on all parties to prove their commitment to peace," Soumare said in a statement issued in Juba.

"They must show restraint and demonstrate their responsibility to ensure the sanctity of life of all South Sudanese citizens," he added.

UNMISS reported that fresh fighting has broken out between government SPLA and opposition forces in a number of locations including Raga in the west of South Sudan, Waat in Jonglei to the east and in the area of Wunkur and Tonga in the northern Upper Nile region.

It follows recent fighting in Pajok, and a week ago in Wau town and the surrounding area, which led to the displacement of thousands of people and killing of at least 16 civilians.

UNMISS said it continues to push for access to areas affected by the conflict despite challenges encountered in reaching some parts of the country, and also deployed a number of peacekeeping patrols to deter violence and protect civilians.

The UN mission added that it is also monitoring any human rights abuses as a part of its mandate.

UNMISS said it received some 13,500 people who fled their homes due to the violence, which brings the number of internally displaced persons seeking protection at the site adjacent to its base in Wau to 38,746.

"The warring parties must know that there can only be peace through a political solution," Soumare said.

"They must once and for all silence the guns, return to dialogue, reconcile their differences and bring the peace the South Sudanese people want and deserve," he added.

South Sudan has been devastated by civil war that broke out in December 2013 after President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup.

Machar denied the accusation but then mobilized a rebel force. A peace deal signed in August 2015 led to the formation of a transitional unity government, but was again shattered by fresh violence in July, 2016. Endit