As instability and violence persist in the world’s newest country, the number of South Sudanese seeking safety and shelter in neighbouring countries has crossed the one million mark, the United Nations refugee agency said today.
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The United Nations on Friday announced that South Sudan conflict has produced a million refugees, a “very sad milestone” reached only by Syria, Afghanistan and Somalia.
Most refugees are women and children, UNHCR spokesman Leo Dobbs told a press briefing in Geneva.
South Sudan, which only gained independence from Sudan in 2011, descended into civil war in December 2013 after Kiir accused Machar of plotting a presidential coup.
Smaller numbers have also fled to Kenya, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Central African Republic (CAR), since July.
“These countries have commendably kept their doors open to new arrivals, ” the UNHCR said. Mr. Machar, who fled South Sudan last month after a brief attempt at reconciliation, is believed to have taken refuge in Sudan.
“This sort of allegation can only jeopardise the pursuit of peace and stability in my country where mutual distrust and lack of authority are key factors of violence”, said the South Sudan government.
The fighting that erupted in July between supporters of President Salva Kiir and then-Vice President Riek Machar “has shattered hopes for a real breakthrough and triggered new waves of displacement and suffering”, he added.
Power spoke to reporters ahead of a closed-door Security Council meeting to discuss the situation in the world’s youngest country that has been wracked by civil war for much of its short existence.
Fighting that broke out in the capital, Juba, in July is responsible for the latest surge in those fleeing, it says.
A South Sudan refugee family share a meal at the UNHCR managed refugees reception point at Elegu, within Amuru district of the northern region near the South Sudan-Uganda border, August 20, 2016.
“Uganda is hosting the lion’s share of South Sudanese refugees, with 373,626”, it said.
With no apparent end to the crisis, UNHCR is calling on donors to provide $701 million to further support its South Sudan refugee operations, of which 20 percent has been funded.
But Russian Deputy Ambassador Petr Iliichev said Moscow does not support a ban on arms sales to South Sudan, arguing that it would not help advance peace efforts.
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The report said the chief of staff of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army, Gen. Paul Malong Awan, who officially makes about $45,000 a year, owns at least two luxurious villas in Uganda and a $2 million mansion in a gated community in Nairobi.
