UN calls for restraint as fighting escalates in South Sudan

[Elisabeth Janaina]

UN calls for restraint as fighting escalates in South Sudan


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Chinese peacekeepers of UNMISS, patrol outside the premises of the UN
Protection of Civilians (PoC) site in Juba on October 4, 2016. (Albert
Gonzalez Farran/AFP Photo)

April 15, 2016 (JUBA) - The U.N mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has
urged the warring parties to silence guns and demonstrate
responsibility as violence escalates.

Moustapha Soumaré, the acting special representative of the
Secretary-General, said peacekeepers are pushing for access to the
conflict areas in order to protect civilians.

The U.N mission confirmed that there has been fighting between
government troops (SPLA) and the opposition forces in Raga, located
west of Waat in Jonglei state.

Soumaré said the Easter, the Christians’ holy festival period should
symbolise reconciliation and rebirth of hope, calling on leaders from
all sides to embrace peace.

"They must show restraint and demonstrate their responsibility to
ensure the sanctity of life of all South Sudanese citizens," Soumaré
said in a statement issued Saturday.

The UN has deployed in vital areas to protect civilians, despite the
challenges they face. He, however, said there can be no military
solution to the conflict, but "through a political solution."

“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 stressed.

Fighting between armed forces loyal to ex-First Vice President Riek
Machar and government surged recently, including the clashes in
Eastern Equatoria state town bordering Uganda, Pajok and Wau in the
north-west of the country.

Thousands of people have fled to Uganda from Pajok and 13,500 others
were received at the UNMISS protection of civilians sites in Wau after
the clashes.

(ST)