UN calls for urgent deployment of peace forces amidst insecurity in South Sudan

JUBA – The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has called for the urgent deployment of the Necessary Unified Forces to address escalating insecurity in Western Equatoria and Upper Nile states.

Nicholas Haysom, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS, expressed deep concern over the deteriorating situation in both regions and urged the government to expedite security sector reforms and deploy the unified forces to restore peace.

“The situation in both locations underscores the critical importance of the full and rapid deployment of the Necessary Unified Forces, in accordance with the Revitalized Peace Agreement,” Haysom stated in a statement today. “Parties must adhere to the Agreement and urgently progress its implementation since it remains the only route towards a permanent peace.”

UNMISS condemned the recent violence and called on the government and all parties to uphold the peace agreement.

“I urge all involved to demonstrate restraint and immediately restore calm. I also strongly condemn any violence against our peacekeepers and reiterate that such actions constitute a violation of international law,” Haysom said.

Heavy fighting erupted between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and armed youth in Nassir on February 14th and 15th, resulting in civilian and military casualties. One UNMISS peacekeeper was injured during the clashes while conducting a pre-planned patrol when mortar shells landed nearby.

Persistent tensions between organized forces in Western Equatoria have also led to deaths, property destruction, and civilian displacement in both states, UNMISS reported.

The mission said it is engaging with communities and authorities in the affected areas to de-escalate tensions.

The SSPDF and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) have traded accusations over the causes of the clashes.

SSPDF Major General Lul Ruai Koang attributed the incidents to the SPLA-IO, citing resistance to the removal of an illegal checkpoint and disputes over the appointment of SPLA-IO commissioners in Nasir County and the Upper Nile State governor.

“The bottom line of recurrent attacks on SSPDF defensive position at Wei-Yar-Adiu emanates from SPLA-IO’s constant instigation of armed youth to maintain hostile and offensive posture aimed at curtailing servicemen’s freedom of movement both when on and off duty,” Koang wrote on his official page regarding the Nassir incident.