UN and partners make plea for urgent intervention to end ‘escalating violence’ — Global Issues
MISSAfrican Union mission, regional bloc IGAD, so-called Troika (United States, United Kingdom and Norway), European Union and peace agreement monitoring body signed by the warring parties in South Sudan (R-JMEC), issued a statement on Wednesday, saying it was “deeply concerned about the escalating violence, human toll and reports of alleged use of weapons.” heavyweight”.
Reports quoted a local official as saying youths from the Nuer community attacked members of the Murle ethnic group in Greater Pibor.
According to Greater Pibor’s information minister, fighting began when armed youths attacked the village of Lanam. He told news outlets that members of both groups were killed, with 17 Murle community members among those injured.
The state’s information minister Jonglei is also said to have condemned the fighting and called on young fighters from the state to immediately stop the violence and return home. Both senior local officials called for central government intervention to end the violence, according to news reports.
The world’s youngest country has been mired in escalating violence not long after gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, between Government forces led by President Salva Kiir and fighters loyal to the rival. His is Riek Machar.
ultimatum
A statement from the United Nations and its partners called on fighters and supporters to “immediately end hostilities, exercise restraint and respect human rights.”
They called on South Sudan’s leaders to “intervene urgently to prevent fighting and ensure the safety and security of civilians as well as unimpeded humanitarian access to those affected by the fighting.” .”
They stressed the need to investigate and prosecute all perpetrators of violence, “including those who instigate and incite violence and those responsible for the abduction of women and children. “
Dialogue, not fight
The declaration also strongly encourages national politicians and traditional leaders to persuade young fighters to stop violence and to pursue a “dialogue-based approach that focuses on restoring peace and peaceful resolution of the root causes of the conflict”.
While the primary responsibility for the protection of civilians rests with national governments, UNMISS and its international partners reiterate that they stand ready to provide all necessary assistance to protect civilians in the affected areas. .
UN photo / Isaac Billy
Peacekeepers serving with UNMISS, the United Nations mission in South Sudan, patrol Central Equatoria.
Increased patrols
“UNMISS is increasing patrols in conflict hotspots and closely monitoring the situation, noting that previous skirmishes have resulted in significant loss of life and large-scale evacuation of civilians. big.”
The statement also notes that “uncalled for violence” poses a serious risk to the peace and stability of all South Sudanese, and calls for a Security Agreement Monitoring and Verification Mechanism. Transition and Ceasefire, investigation, urging parties to the conflict, facilitating access.
