Speaking to reporters on Monday, UN chief Ban Ki-moon condemned the killing of UN staff, including two Chinese peacekeepers, in renewed fighting in South Sudan’s capital Juba.
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“However, we also urge repentance and a firm commitment from all armed individuals, forces and communities, and from their leaders, to create an atmosphere where violence is not an option”, they said.
The United States has always been a key supporter of South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, which became independent from Sudan in 2011.
The New Zealand Defence Force says it is closely monitoring the situation and in touch with Lieutenant Colonel Mel Childs, Major Wendy Wright and Major Fraser Winskill.
A statement from the Presidency on Tuesday said: “South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa joined President Jacob Zuma and the global community in expressing serious concerns regarding the recent outbreak of violence in South Sudan between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and the SPLA in Opposition (SPLA-IO)”. Still, the fact that tens of thousands of civilians are massed in and around United Nations compounds in the city shows that people in South Sudan believe that proximity to United Nations peacekeepers can offer them some protection.
Heavy fighting broke out between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and the SPLA in Opposition (SPLA-IO) last week.
In the meantime, countries which have contributed peacekeepers should “stand their ground”, Ban said.
The United States has begun pulling out its diplomatic staffers from South Sudan as the planet’s youngest country creeps closer to the brink of war. “They are not stopping it”.
Two Chinese peacekeepers had died by Monday in Juba, Chinese media reported, with several others apparently wounded.
South Sudan’s opposing army factions have been stationed in Juba since April as part of the peace deal. The Canadian embassy has closed entirely, according to a message sent to its citizens.
In a series of tweets, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today said, “South Sudan – I am aware of the developments in South Sudan”.
South Sudanese residents of Juba are attempting to flee east, McDonald says, while global workers are planning to evacuate.
At least 272 people have been killed in the recent violence, a health ministry source told the Reuters news agency early on Sunday. The witness spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the press. Tanker trucks have been unable to bring water to the tens of thousands of people in the base.
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A hospital operated by the International Medical Corps was hit by shelling but no one was injured and the patients had to be relocated, the organization said.
