![Head of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) Nicholas Haysom speaking during the opening session of the 5th Governors' Forum in Juba on Tuesday, November 23, 2021. [Photo by Awan Achiek/Sudans Post]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/260249248_421703889528517_3905501838567962543_n.jpg?ssl=1)
Last Friday, fierce fighting erupted inside Mayom town resulting in the death of the commissioner, Maj. Gen. Chuol Gatluak Manimeh, the elder brother of Presidential Advisor on Security Affairs Tut Gatluak Manimeh.
The South Sudan People’s Movement/Army (SSPM/Army) led by General Stephen Buay claimed responsibility for the attack. The violence since then escalated with a highway attack on a SSPDF convoy yesterday resulted in the killing of at least 40 people, mostly government soldiers.
“The UN Mission in South Sudan, UNMISS, condemns the attack on Friday, 22 July, on Mayom County, Unity State, resulting in the death of several people including the Mayom County Commissioner,” the mission said in a statement seen by Sudans Post this afternoon.
“The rebel South Sudan People’s Movement/Army led by General Stephen Buay Rolnyang claimed responsibility for the attack, following earlier clashes between the group and government forces in the area on 19 July,” the statement added.
The head of the mission and SRSG Nicholas Haysom called on the armed groups in the country to put down their guns and join the ongoing peace process.
“Subnational violence has already had a devastating effect on communities. We appeal to all armed groups to put down their weapons and participate in peace efforts,” Haysom said.
“This is the only way to break the cycles of violence and revenge killings, and pave the way for durable and sustainable peace,” he added.
