UN warns of danger as Bor attack looms
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December 29, 2013 (JUBA) – The United Nations mission in South Sudan
on Sunday expressed concerns over reports that armed youth were
advancing towards Bor, the Jonglei state capital allegedly in
preparation for possible attacks.
JPEG - 50.8 kb
Hilde Johnson who head the UN mission in South Sudan addressing the
press in Western Equatoria state April 17, 2012 (ST)
“These youths have been reportedly moving across the state for some
time now, with a possible intention of attacking other communities,”
Hilde Johnson, the head of the UN mission said in a statement extended
to Sudan Tribune.
The world body, she disclosed, had been tracking reports on the
movements of these armed groups, but said their size and location
could not be independently confirmed.
“The Mission has started conducting an aerial reconnaissance flight
over Jonglei today to get a clearer idea of the numbers of armed
youths and the direction in which they are headed”, Johnson noted.
She, however, said the involvement of the armed youths in the ongoing
violence would not only worsen the already volatile and unpredictable
security situation, but further put civilian lives at risk.
“South Sudan does not need another escalation of the crisis involving
armed youth, pitching communities against communities. This can end in
a vicious cycle of violence,” she emphasised.
ATTACK LOOMS
The South Sudanese army (SPLA) spokesperson, Philip Aguer, said
Saturday that rebel forces loyal to former vice-president Riek Machar
are planning an attack on Bor.
“We have information that forces loyal to Riek Machar are believed to
be preparing a fresh offensive on Bor. We don’t know the number, but
it is estimated 25,000 youths from the Lou Nuer [tribe] have been
mobilised to participate in the attack”, Aguer said.
Mutineers from the army took control of Bor a few days after conflict
broke out between members of the presidential guard on 15 December in
the capital, Juba, with the army later retaking control of Bor on 24
December.
A spokesperson for the dissident forces on Saturday said their troops
briefly withdrew from Bor town for "tactical" reasons, admitting that
government forces were in control.
"It is only [a matter] time for our forces to reclaim the town to
prevent targeted lynching of individuals on suspensions of their
loyalties", partly reads a statement the dissident group extended to
Sudan Tribune.
The UN says that 120,000 people have been displaced and over 1,000
people killed since the fighting spread from Juba to Jonglei, as well
as into the country’s oil-producing states of Unity and Upper Nile.
CALLS FOR DIALOGUE
Johnson said she was in contact with a number of political and
community leaders to ensure the armed youth are convinced to
immediately halt their advance.
"To avoid further bloodshed, these youths should return to their
towns, villages and cattle camps to avert a further escalation of the
crisis in South Sudan", she stressed.
"UNMISS reiterates its call for dialogue between representatives of
the government and former Vice President Machar to achieve a peaceful
resolution to the current crisis," added the head of the UN mission in
the country.
(ST)
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