The UN Mission in South Sudan, UNMISS, says that there have been signs of mobilization over the weekend of both pro- and anti-Government troops in many locations in the country, and reports of military clashes. The resupply of the UNMISS Bor base, presently protecting some 9,000 civilians, is becoming critical.
In progress at UNHQ
Noon Briefings
The UN Mission in South Sudan says that 246 officers from two formed police units have been deployed to assist civilians seeking refuge inside its bases; a medical team from the UN Mission in Côte d’Ivoire has arrived in Juba; and the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is supporting air operations.
The UN Mission in South Sudan, UNMISS, reports that extrajudicial killings of civilians and captured soldiers have occurred in various parts of the country as evidenced by the discovery of large numbers of bodies in Juba, as well as the Upper Nile and Jonglei state capitals of Malakal and Bor, respectively.
The UN Mission in South Sudan conducted aerial reconnaissance yesterday and identified some armed groups north-east of Bor, but it cannot confirm their size or precise location. On the humanitarian front, aid agencies have reached some 106,000 displaced people, but are $166 million short of a $209 million appeal.
The Secretary-General strongly condemned the attack by 2,000 armed youth on the United Nations Mission in South Sudan base in Akobo, which had been sheltering civilians seeking refuge. Offering condolences to the families of the two fallen peacekeepers, as well as least 11 civilians, the Secretary-General urged top leaders to demonstrate compromise and resolve differences through dialogue.
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Central African Republic, Babacar Gaye, said today the situation is improving, but remains fragile and unpredictable. In an interview with UN Radio, he also said there is no longer fighting in the capital, Bangui, and the disarmament of armed groups is ongoing. He said this improvement has to be consolidated.
Welcoming reports that South Sudan President Salva Kiir would be willing to enter talks with the political opposition, the Secretary-General called upon the Government to support the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, which is continuing to support civilians in its two compounds in Juba, now numbering close to 20,000 people, as well as several hundred in Jonglei.
The Secretary-General spoke with President Salva Kiir of South Sudan, expressing his concern about the reports of fighting in Juba and reports that members of certain communities were being targeted. He said that up to 13,000 civilians have sought refuge at the UN compounds in Juba.
Concerning the final report of the UN Mission to investigate allegations of chemical weapons use in Syria, the Secretary-General noted with deep concern that the team substantiated reports that chemical weapons were used on numerous occasions at multiple sites, including on a small scale against both civilians and military targets.
The Secretary-General briefed the Security Council on his visit to Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad last month. He said he came back with a clear sense that much more needed to be done to fight poverty, empower women, provide employment opportunities for young people and ensure that all have what they need to build a better future.