Violence in Protection of Civilians’ Site strongly condemned by UN Mission in South Sudan

By

Peter Louis

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has strongly condemned the violence that erupted between Shilluk and Dinka youths in its Protection of Civilians site in Malakal.

The Mission called on all communities to refrain from violence, restore calm and resolve differences through dialogue.

Violence involving the use of small arms, machetes and other weapons broke out between youths from both communities in the late evening on 17 February. According to preliminary reports, there have been 5 fatalities among the Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDP) community and approximately 30 injured.

UNMISS police in charge of maintaining order within the protection sites immediately intervened with tear gas to disperse the crowd. Casualties were brought to the international NGO clinic in the site. UN troops have increased perimeter patrolling while physically securing areas in the vicinity of the Protection of Civilians site. UNMISS is also engaging with local authorities in Malakal to de-escalate the situation.

The Mission reminded all concerned, including security forces, of the civilian character of the compound, and the sanctity of UN assets and personnel as well as that of the civilians protected inside the UN compound. Such an attack against civilians and UN premises may constitute a war crime.

UNMISS protects 47,791 civilians in Malakal, while 198,440 civilians are currently protected at six UNMISS bases throughout South Sudan.

Peter Louis

Peter Louis works as a freelance Videographer and Journalist in the Republic of South Sudan. He previously worked for Ebony TV, South Sudan Radio and South Sudan TV, Wau.