UN to send more peacekeepers to South Sudan

The United Nations is planning to dispatch more peacekeepers to embattled towns in South Sudan and evacuate “non-critical” staff as fighting continues across the violence-hit country.

The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said in a Sunday statement that it would “reinforce its military presence in Bor and Pariang to continue fulfilling its mandate to help protect South Sudanese civilians.”

The UN added that it had started evacuating “non-critical” staff from South Sudan’s capital, Juba, where around 20,000 civilians have taken refuge at UN bases.

“We are not abandoning South Sudan,” said the UN Special Representative for South Sudan, Hilde Johnson, adding, “To anyone who wants to threaten us, attack us or put obstacles in our way, our message remains loud and clear: we will not be intimidated.”

Fighting has plagued South Sudan for a week, after South Sudanese President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy Riek Machar of attempting to carry out a coup, an accusation that Machar has denied.

The fighting between troops loyal to the South Sudanese president, who is from the Dinka ethnic group, and opposition leader Riek Machar, a Nuer, erupted around Juba on December 15.

Forces loyal to Machar are presently in control of Bor, the capital of Jonglei state that is situated about 200 kilometers (125 miles) north of Juba, while South Sudan’s army spokesman said government troops were advancing to recapture the town.

Pariang is located in South Sudan’s Unity state that is the country’s key oil-producing area. Juba has acknowledged that Pariang is currently held by the rebels.

The skirmishes in South Sudan have killed hundreds and sent tens of thousands of people escaping for protection in UN bases or to safer parts of the country.

Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has expressed concern about reports of violence against civilians in South Susan.

“We are extremely concerned about reports of both targeted killings of civilians and ill-treatment,” said Melker Mabeck, head of the ICRC’s delegation in Juba.

Earlier on Sunday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon demanded an end to violence against civilians in the African country, stressing the need for dialogue in order to bring about peace and stability in the region.

South Sudan gained independence in July 2011 after its people overwhelmingly voted in a referendum for a split from Sudan.