Secretary-General Condemns Attack on South Sudan Civilian Protection Site

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General condemns the attack today on a United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) protection of civilians site in Malakal by opposition forces.  He deplores the killing of one internally displaced person and the injury of six others as a result of this attack.

The Secretary-General calls on former Vice-President Riek Machar and Johnson Olony, Commander of opposition forces, to conduct an immediate investigation into this incident and hold to account those responsible.  He reminds the parties that they must respect the inviolability of UNMISS premises, including protection of civilian sites, which are now host to more than 140,000 internally displaced persons.

The Secretary-General reiterates that there is no military solution to the conflict in South Sudan and calls on all parties to immediately cease the hostilities and make the necessary compromises to urgently conclude the negotiations facilitated by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development.  He expresses his condolences to the bereaved family and he wishes speedy recovery to those wounded in this attack.