UN deploys additional troops as violence escalates

JUBA — The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has deployed additional 75 peacekeepers in two conflict hotspots in Western Equatoria and Greater Pibor amid fresh communal violence.

The U.N. Peacekeeping mission in South Sudan launched the patrols following fresh intercommunal violence which caused the deaths of civilians, the abduction of women and children, and mass displacement of vulnerable communities.

Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS, said they have dispatched an additional 76 military peacekeepers to reinforce the Tambura temporary base, protect displaced families, and boost patrols in the surrounding area.

“Despite the ongoing fuel blockade which is threatening UNMISS’ ability to carry out our work, we are doing our utmost to help protect civilians caught up in intercommunal conflict and prevent further violence,” Haysom said in a statement seen by Sudans Post on Tuesday.

Haysom disclosed that the mission is also engaging with political actors and community leaders at the local and national levels to reduce tension and restore calm.  

“We urge the Government to ensure that the UN can continue to work without impediment to help protect civilians, support the safe delivery of humanitarian aid to vulnerable communities, and progress the development of institutions, infrastructure, and critical services across the country,” he said.

He said they have sent a special flight to Marwa to support the engagement of the GPAA Chief Administrator with local leaders and the community.

He urged the GPAA authorities to recover all those abducted and reunite them with their families as well as to impose rule of law to prevent further incidents.

In Jonglei, on 26 April, a group of armed youth from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) launched a significant attack on cattle keepers across the border in Kapoeta East County in Eastern Equatoria.

Efforts are underway to verify the number of casualties, but preliminary reports indicate a significant number of people were killed, many women and children were abducted, and hundreds of cattle stolen.

 Meanwhile, in Tambura in Western Equatoria, tensions between communities from different ethnic backgrounds are high following a series of incidents, including the killing of civilians, and a local catholic priest who is a member of the Tambura peace committee, and the torching of homes.

As fears of further violence rise, more than 13,000 people have sought sanctuary at a displacement camp outside an UNMISS temporary base and 4000 have arrived at another such site in Tambura town.