UNMISS condemns shooting of IDPs in Malakal
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July 1, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) - The United Nations Mission in South Sudan
(UNMISS) has condemned in the “strongest possible terms” what it
described as fatal shooting of internally displaced persons (IDPs) at
its civilian-protection-site on Wednesday evening in the oil-rich
state capital, Malakal.
JPEG - 19.4 kb
UNMISS personnel erect barbed wire fencing around Tomping camp, where
some 15,000 IDPs are sheltered by the United Nations, in Juba January
7, 2014 (Photo Reuters/James Akena)
It said the shooting which was carried out by three armed soldiers
occurred at a newly established Mission’s protection-of-civilians site
at its compound outside Malakal town which has been under full control
of joint opposition forces under the leadership of former vice
president, Riek Machar, and under the overall command of Major General
Johnson Olony. The rebels captured the strategic town on Saturday
after flushing out government troops.
“The Mission has received information that three members of forces
belonging to either the Sudan People’s Liberation Army In Opposition
or the allied militia led by Gen. Johnson Olony who are currently
controlling the Upper Nile state capital [Malakal] opened fire on IDPs
at a recently opened protection-of-civilians site in the UNMISS
compound today,” partly reads the statement from UNMISS.
“UNMISS peacekeepers returned fire against the assailants, and UNMISS
peacekeepers are currently engaging with senior commanders of armed
opposition forces in a bid to identify the perpetrators of this
unprovoked attack among their own ranks,” it said.
One civilian was killed and six other IDPs were wounded in the attack.
The wounded were receiving treatment at the hospital inside the UNMISS
compound, and one was said to be in a critical condition.
Upper Nile state’s capital, Malakal, is divided into pro-government
and anti-government civilian populations. Previously whenever
government forces control the town, civilians mainly from the Nuer
ethnic group fled to the UN compound for protections while members of
Dinka and Shilluk ethnic groups felt free in the town.
But after General Johnson Olony defected from the government and
joined with the rebels in April, the Dinka ethnic group reversely felt
insecure particularly when on Saturday the rebel forces recaptured the
state capital, teaming up the Nuer and Shilluk communities.
The exact circumstances surrounding the shooting incident remained
unclear. The incident also occurred on the day John Olony’s group
officially declared merger with the rebel group led by Machar.
This is not the first time that an UNMISS protection-of-civilians site
has come under attack by armed elements in South Sudan.
Last month the UN based inhabiting tens of thousands of IDPs, mainly
from the Nuer ethnic group, was attacked in the capital, Juba, killing
a number of them. In Bor last year, tens of IDPs were attacked by
armed Dinka youth believed to be supported by the government.
UNMISS said the attacks constituted war crimes and such “indefensible
actions will compromise the Mission’s ability to implement its mandate
if they continue to go unpunished.”
UNMISS in the statement demanded that the warring parties in the
current conflict honour their obligation to ensure the safety and
security of UN personnel in South Sudan as well as civilians seeking
shelter within the UN sites and respect the inviolability of UN
property and assets in the country.
Upper Nile region has remained hotly contested for the past 18 months
between government forces and opposition forces due to its strategic
importance as it hosts the country’s main resources of the country,
such oil, which provides 98% of the overall government’s budget.
(ST)
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2 July 08:18, by Ayom Ayom
Attacking IDPs under UN Protection is a bad reputation toward
rebellion. International Community will consider it as crime against
humanity
repondre message
2 July 17:05, by Ayuen deng
Trading in capturing Malakal is profitless but a lost of South
Sudanese lives.
where is UN protection that is funded with Billions of
dollars,so that people are protected in Pocs.
repondre message
2 July 09:37, by Thondet Manyang
UN advised rebels to do so since they want this war escalate
further and becomes the project assuming that they are doing
soomething for South Sudanese. Civilians butchered are many some even
fled camp to bushes. It was clear from day one that UN is supporting
Rebels. Civilians not killed when Gov’nt was in control. Why now? You
was well coordinated by UN-Rebels experts. RIP.
repondre message
2 July 10:39, by Thokidine
Thondet, Did UN advised Govt Army when they attacked IDPs in
Bor UNMISS compound? a lies plus lies never make any truth. Moreover,
why is UN keen to report whatever IO committed by default while
thousand mistakes are committed everyday by govt intentionally and
UNMISS is not saying anything? I think UN is bias on reporting these
times around.
repondre message
2 July 09:48, by Mapuor
Fake PhD holder should be held responsible for the death of those
poor civilians.Dr Satan wants to take the war to yet another
dimension, he wants to drag people to killing of civilians in PoC
sites.Dr Riek is the one who first used Nuer rural youth against poor
Dinkas in 1991.
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