Africa-Press – South-Sudan. A group of peace guarantors has expressed concern about the escalating violence in parts of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, which has resulted in population displacement.
The group, comprising the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the African Union Mission in South Sudan (IGAD), the Troika, the EU, and R-JMEC, urged all involved parties to immediately cease hostilities and exercise restraint to protect lives and property. The peace observers called on South Sudanese leaders to urgently intervene to stop the fighting and ensure the safety and security of civilians, as well as unimpeded humanitarian access to people affected by the fighting.
“UNMISS and international partners strongly encourage national politicians and traditional leaders to persuade youth to immediately stop the violence and pursue a dialogue-based approach that focuses on restoring calm and peacefully resolving the root causes of the conflict,” they noted in a statement seen by The City Review yesterday.
They also emphasised the need to investigate and hold accountable all perpetrators of the conflict, including those who are instigating and inciting violence and those responsible for the abduction of women and children.
While the national government bears primary responsibility for civilian protection, UNMISS and its international partners state they are ready to provide all necessary assistance to protect civilians in affected areas.
“UNMISS is increasing patrols in conflict zones and closely monitoring the situation, noting that previous conflicts have resulted in significant casualties and large-scale civilian displacement,” the statement read.
They have also asked CTSAMVM to investigate the violence and urged the conflicting parties to make access easier.
According to local officials, many people were killed after armed Jonglei youth took over Gumuruk town in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) on Tuesday.
The violence began on Christmas Eve with an attack on the Bich-Bich area of Greater Pibor by an armed Jonglei State youth group.
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