December 29, 2024 01:30 am (IST)

Make this your homepage

Foreign

India mourns as nation bids farewell to Manmohan Singh with full state honours | Narendra Modi-led Union Cabinet passes 'Condolence Resolution' on passing of ex-PM Manmohan Singh | Space will be allocated for Manmohan Singh's memorial, announces Centre | He was my friend, philosopher, and guide: Sonia Gandhi remembers Manmohan Singh in an emotional post | Vladimir Putin condoles Manmohan Singh's death, calls him 'outstanding statesman' | Congress writes to PM Modi seeking space for building a memorial to Manmohan Singh | Manmohan Singh will be remembered as a kind person, a learned economist, and a leader dedicated to reforms: PM Modi | Russian ambassador to India Denis Alipov grieves Manmohan Singh's demise | Mumbai terror attack shook Manmohan Singh badly, recalls former deputy NSA | I have lost a mentor and guide: Rahul Gandhi writes on Manmohan Singh's demise

Photo: UNMISS/Mihad Abdallah

South Sudan: UNSC condemns latest attacks against civilians

India Blooms News Service | | Apr 19, 2014, at 04:54 pm

#Security Council # South Sudan # attacks against civilians # UN base # Bor # Jonglei state

New York, Apr 19 (IBNS): The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Friday voiced its outrage at the recent attacks by armed groups in South Sudan that have purposefully targeted civilians as well as the United Nations peacekeeping mission sites and personnel.

The 15-member body highlighted in particular the Apr 17 attack against the compound of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in Bor, the capital of Jonglei state, that resulted in scores of dead and injured, including those seeking the UN's shelter and protection, as well as the Apr 14 attacks in Bentiu and Unity state.

“The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms these acts and underscored that attacks on civilians and UN peacekeepers may constitute a war crime,” said a statement issued to the press.

In Thursday's attack in Bor, armed civilians forced their way into the UNMISS protection site, where some 5,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) were sheltering, and opened fire. Dozens of civilians were wounded and two UN peacekeepers sustained injuries repelling the armed mob.

Four months into the conflict between pro- and anti-Government forces, UNMISS is hosting some 67,000 civilians at its bases around the country. Although the main parties to the conflict have signed a cessation of hostilities agreement, violence has escalated in recent weeks, particularly in Unity state.

On Monday, amid fighting in the state capital, Bentiu, anti-Government forces overran the town and the nearby neighbourhood of Rubkona. As a result, the number of IDPs in the UNMISS compound there has risen to 12,000.

In Friday's statement, Council members called on the Government of South Sudan to immediately take steps to ensure the safety of all civilians and UNMISS civilian protection sites, to swiftly investigate these incidents, and to bring the perpetrators of these “egregious” acts to justice.

“The members of the Security Council underscored their full support for UNMISS peacekeepers and commended the actions of the UNMISS contingents in Bor as they sought to fulfil their mandate to protect civilians. They also called on all parties to refrain from actions or statements that could further escalate the situation.”

(People fleeing violence in Bentiu, the capital of Unity state, South Sudan, arriving at UNMISS base on 15 April 2014 to seek shelter. Photo: UNMISS/Mihad Abdallah)

Support Our Journalism

We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism

IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.