UN condemns attack on its base in South Sudan

The UN senior envoy in South Sudan on Thursday condemned an attack on its base in famine area in South Sudan.

David Shearer, head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said the attack on Wednesday night were carried out with callous disregard for the lives for civilians as well as UN and humanitarian workers.

"We strongly condemn the attack, and call on all parties to the conflict to respect the sanctity of UN premises," Shearer said in a statement issued in Juba.

The mission's Temporary Operating Base (TOB) in Leer town in the former Unity State came under small armed attack from the direction of the nearby government-held town.

Shearer said the Ghanaian company of UNMISS peacekeeping forces based there quickly and robustly returned fire, deterring the attack.

He praised the response of the Ghanaian forces for successfully repelling the attack and remaining on high alert throughout the night.

"They reacted in the best possible manner, according to the true spirit of peacekeeping. Their quick defensive action secured the safety of all of the internally displaced people who had sought UN protection adjacent to the base," the UN official said.

He confirmed that there were no UNMISS or other casualties within the base from the attack. So far, there is no confirmation of which party to the conflict carried out the attack.

"We are here to protect and support the people of South Sudan. The base is located at Leer for that reason. The people are hungry and deprived as the result of the famine. However, it is clear the attackers have no consideration for their plight, given those who most desperately need help will suffer more because of a likely resulting delay of humanitarian aid," said Shearer.

Shearer said the UN mission has launched investigations into the incident and will examine whether the TOB needs to be further strengthened. Enditem