The fighting is reported to have begun following a shootout between rival bodyguards of the two main belligerents of South Sudan’s civil conflict – President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar.
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This latest round of fighting erupted on Thursday 7 July in Juba’s Gudele neighbourhood, pitting Sudanese People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and SPLA-In Opposition (IO) forces loyal to Vice-President Riek Machar.
As fighting continues in South Sudan, tens of thousands of civilians have taken refuge inside a United Nations base, The Associated Press reports.
“The president talked to Machar.they have talked about controlling their forces in an attempt to salvage what has remained of the peace agreement”, Ateny said in an interview with Al Jazeera, calling on Machar and his forces to follow the president’s order.
In this photo taken Sunday, July 10, 2016, black smoke is seen rising above the capital Juba, in South Sudan.
On Sunday, South Sudan’s Government gave assurances that calm had returned to Juba.
“For peace to stand a chance, the UN Security Council must ensure that all countries halt any further flow of weapons into South Sudan by immediately imposing a comprehensive arms embargo”, said Elizabeth Deng.
It is concerning that fighting has broken out so soon after the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity in April this year.
Kiir and Machar have always been rivals for power, both in politics and on the battlefield.
The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Monday deplored the continued fighting in Juba and severe conditions it had imposed on civilians.
It is “hugely worrying” that the fighting appeared to be spreading outside the capital, the United Nations human rights office in Geneva said Tuesday.
As fighting raged into 2015, tens of thousands of people were reported killed, and an estimated 2 million people fled their homes.
“We condemn all acts of violence without exception”, the South Sudan Council of Churches said, noting that it is “time to build a peaceful nation”.
Two U.N. peacekeepers from China were killed at the base Sunday night, according to Chinese state media.
“We know, and know too well, the burden of pain and sorrow that war has brought to bear upon the majority of the people of South Sudan over the past few years”. The country has just emerged from a two-year civil war.
The U.S. has issued an “ordered departure” for its embassy staff as deadly violence escalates in South Sudan’s capital.
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We’re not talking about evacuating the embassy. Machar, who is the country’s first vice president under a fragile peace deal, made the call in an interview with South Sudan-based Eye Radio.
