The United Nations Mission in South Sudan is gravely concerned about the fighting that erupted in parts of Unity State on Monday, 14 April 2014. UNMISS condemns these renewed hostilities in the strongest possible terms as serious violations of the cessation of hostilities agreement signed by the main parties to the crisis in Addis Ababa on 23 January 2014.
The fighting originated in a number of locations to the west and northwest of the Unity State capital of Bentiu early Monday morning, and by Tuesday 15 April forces belonging to the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) In Opposition had overrun Bentiu Town and the nearby neighborhood of Rubkona.
As a result of the fighting, the number of internally displaced persons in the UNMISS compound has risen to over 12,000 since Monday.
UNMISS peacekeepers who patrolled Bentiu Town on Tuesday morning saw thousands of internally displaced persons gathered in the vicinity of Bentiu Hospital and the UN World Food Programme compound, and some of these civilians later entered the UNMISS compound after nightfall on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday, UNMISS peacekeepers facilitated the movement of the displaced persons to the UNMISS protection-of-civilians site. On Tuesday the UNMISS team also saw between 35 and 40 dead bodies along the roadside, with the majority of the corpses dressed in military uniforms.
During the fighting on Tuesday, small arms fire hit tents and containers inside the UNMISS compound. One internally displaced person was wounded and is listed in critical condition. He continues to receive medical treatment at the UNMISS base.
UNMISS Mongolian Battalion on Monday, extracted ten employees of the Safinat oil refining company who were caught in crossfire at a location near the Unity Oilfields, and brought them back to safety in the Mission's compound to the north of Bentiu. Five of the employees suffered injuries and have received medical treatment at the clinic inside the UNMISS compound. The employees, who consist of five Russian nationals, three South Sudanese citizens, one Ukranian and one Kenyan, remain at the UNMISS compound awaiting the reopening of the airstrip in Rubkona.
UNMISS reiterates its impartial role in the current crisis and its commitment to protect all unarmed civilians facing an imminent threat of physical violence, regardless of their ethnic background, political affiliation or religious beliefs.
Continued fighting will only exacerbate an already dire situation for the civilian population. It is imperative that both parties fully comply with the Cessation of Hostilities agreement that they signed under the auspices of the Inter-Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD) and fully cooperate with the IGAD Monitoring and Verification Teams.
For further information or media enquiries, Acting Spokesperson: Joseph Contreras - contrerasjAun.org +211 912 1788 39
United Nations Mission in South Sudan — Communications & Public Information Office www.unmiss.unmissions.org UN House Juba 03, P.O. Box 29, Juba, South Sudan