PRESS RELEASE
The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) strongly condemns today’s deadly and unprovoked attack on its base in Bor, the capital of Jonglei State, by a mob of armed civilians.
At the time of the attack, there were some 5,000 displaced civilians in a protection-of-civilians site (POC) inside the base. A yet to be confirmed number of these civilians were killed or wounded by these assailants who came under the guise of peaceful demonstrators intending to present a petition to UNMISS. The Mission will publish the casualty figures once they are ascertained.
UNMISS emphasizes the primary responsibility of South Sudanese to protect all its population and to maintain public order, and calls on the national, state and local authorities to investigate this tragic episode thoroughly and bring to justice the perpetrators of these heinous murders. UNMISS additionally calls on all national, state and local authorities and forces to protect all civilians, to ensure that the inviolability of United Nations premises is protected, and to take effective measures to prevent a recurrence of such attacks.
The violent attack happened despite repeated warning shots fired by UNMISS peacekeepers. The armed mob forced entry in to the site and opened fire on the internally displaced persons sheltering inside the base. UNMISS peacekeepers returned fire, and the mob retreated from the base.
Dozens of internally displaced persons were wounded in the attack and are receiving medical attention at the UNMISS compound’s clinic. Two UNMISS peacekeepers sustained injuries repelling the mob. All UNMISS civilian, military and police staff are accounted for.
UNMISS calls on all displaced persons sheltering in its bases to remain calm, exercise restraint, strictly respect the ground rules governing their stay in the camps and desist from any actions that may provoke violence.
The Mission reaffirms its determinations to use all necessary means to protect civilians facing violence, to protect United Nations personnel and assets, and to defend itself, in keeping with its mandate.
For further information or media enquiries
Acting Spokesperson: Joseph Contreras - contrerasj@un.org +211 912 1788 39