UN urges end to violence in South Sudan as deadly clashes displace tens of thousands

[News_Editor]

UN urges end to violence in South Sudan as deadly clashes displace tens of thousands

2012-01-20 20:06:38 GMT+7 (ICT)

JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN (BNO NEWS) -- Officials at the United Nations on Thursday urged an immediate end to the cycle of ethnic violence in the newly independent nation of South Sudan, days after violent clashes left nearly 50 people killed.

Hilde Johnson, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative and head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), called on the South Sudanese government to hold the perpetrators of violence to account and to deploy more forces to key areas in order to prevent further bloodshed.

Tens of thousands of civilians have been displaced in recent months as deadly clashes between the Lou Nuer and Murle communities continue. As a result, several UN agencies have launched a major humanitarian operation to assist those in need.

"The ongoing security crisis in Jonglei state is a test for all of us," Johnson said. "All concerned should redouble their efforts to put an immediate end to the cycle of violence, which is putting thousands of lives at risk and threatening the stability of the whole area."

UNMISS previously deployed its limited resources in several key areas of Jonglei state, including to the Lou Nuer, Dinka and Murle communities, but Johnson said more South Sudanese government forces are urgently needed. Forces are also needed to patrol buffer zones between the communities to de-escalate tensions.

The mission said the UN peacekeepers are attempting to restore peace and security, and daily air and land patrols have been stepped up to deter further attacks. But UNMISS has a shortfall of operational helicopters which is seriously affecting its ability to carry out its mandate.

"I urge the Government to deploy additional forces and further strengthen its forces in the key areas to stop further violence," Johnson said. She also voiced his 'deep concern' about hate messages delivered by some individuals and groups, which she said could incite systematic violence. "Any statements that could incite ethnically based violence are totally unacceptable."

Earlier this week, at least 47 people were killed when the Murle armed youths invaded Duk Padiet in Duk county, where ethnic Dinkas live. "This is a total destruction. They are destroying everything," county commissioner Mochnom Wuor said on Wednesday.

In August 2011, at least 600 people were killed and more than 750 others were injured when tribal clashes erupted in Jonglei. The clashes originated between the Murle and Lou Nuer communities following large-scale cattle raids by members of the two groups, leading to the theft of between 26,000 and 30,000 cattle. Cattle raids are a persistent problem in South Sudan.

South Sudan became the world's newest country when it broke away from Sudan on July 9, 2011, as a culmination of a six-year peace process which began in January 2005 with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM).

More than two million people, most of them civilians who died due to starvation and drought, were killed during the 20-year civil war in Sudan. Although there were hopes that South Sudan secession would lead to peace, violence has continued both on a local level in South Sudan as well as with the Sudanese forces.

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