President Kiir directed all commanders to cease all hostilities, control their forces and protect civilians, information minister Michael Makuei said in a televised speech on the state broadcaster SSTV.
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“Due to the recent fighting in Juba and subsequent associated operational challenges, the UNMISS and United Nations agencies, funds and programmes in South Sudan have ordered the temporary relocation of some non-critical staff”, the statement said, according to Xinhua.
According to the Associated Press (AP), the us deployment came at the request of the State Department, amid a fragile ceasefire that has held so far.
Indian Rescue team headed by Minister of State (External Affairs) Gen VK Singh has landed in Juba, South Sudan in first of the two C-17 Globe masters sent from India this morning.The team is charged with safe extraction of over 600 Indians stuck in the middle of civil war like situation in South Sudan.
Both Kiir and Machar on Monday called for a cease-fire, which has appeared to hold.
The Ugandan army joined the conflict in South Sudan soon after it began in December 2013, fighting on President Salva Kiir’s side against a rebel force led by arch-rival Riek Machar, now the country’s vice president.
“The UN mission, as well as other UN agencies, funds and programs are preparing for the temporary relocation of non-critical staff from Juba”, said Dujarric, adding that they would likely be moved to Nairobi, though he did not have any figures.
“Around half the population has been forced to leave their homes”, said Florence Mawanda, director of the Tearfund NGO, an aid-worker organization in Juba.
But there are new reports that South Sudan authorities are blocking some citizens, including those with US or Canadian dual nationality, from leaving the country.
But President Kiir says greater worldwide intervention is not welcome.
The 2013 war came several months after Mr Kiir had dismissed Mr Machar as his deputy, leading to thousands of people being killed and 2 million displaced.
Kiir is a member of the Dinka tribe, while Machar is a Nuer, and the dispute has split the country along ethnic lines and caused tens of thousands of deaths.
He also said the security arrangements for Juba and other major towns in the country should be reviewed and operationalized to ensure restoration of security.
On Monday, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon renewed his call for an immediate arms embargo; if enacted, it could increase the pressure on the warring parties and eventually reduce the bloodshed.
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Ugandan citizens living in South Sudan pack their belongings at a closed market serving as a temporary camp as they wait to be evacuated by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers in Juba, South Sudan, July 15, 2016.
