SUDAN- The United Nations has called for calm as new reported deadly clashes in South Sudan have killed civilians and wounded a U.N peacekeeper.
It is reported that fighting broke out between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPSF) and “armed youth” in Nasir in Upper Nile state – which borders Sudan over the weekend.
The UN mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said in a statement that the oil-rich but impoverished nation, which achieved independence only in 2011, is plagued by instability with frequent clashes and political infighting.
The U.N did not identify the armed groups that clashed with the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces a national military force led by President Salva Kiir, as head of the country’s unity government.
The statement said some fighters used heavy weaponry which has, reportedly, resulted in deaths and injuries to civilians as well as armed personnel but tt did not give any details on the number of people hurt, but added that a UN peacekeeper on a scheduled patrol was wounded during mortar shelling.
The Special Representative of the U.N Secretary-general and Head of The UN mission in South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom, has called for an immediate end to the violence and urge all involved to demonstrate restraint and immediately restore calm.
Haysom, also strongly condemn any violence against our peacekeepers and reiterate that such actions constitute a violation of international laws and said the situation in both locations underscored the need for the full deployment of South Sudan’s unified armed forces.
The UN statement also warned of “persistent tensions” in Western Equatoria state – on the other side of the country – between “organised forces”. It did not give further details.
South Sudan has endured a vicious five-year civil war between Kiir and his bitter rival, Vice President Riek Machar who signed the 2018 peace deal that required the unification of armed forces ahead of repeatedly delayed elections but the unification of the army has yet to be achieved.
Additional Reporting from Al Jazeera Africa Desk.
