At least three persons have been killed and more than 20 injured in inter-communal fighting in the UN Protection of Civilians (POC) Site in Malakal town on Thursday.
“Initial reports indicate that at least 3 persons have been killed (as of Thursday early afternoon) and more than 20 injured, with some of those injured receiving treatment at the Mission’s hospital,” the UN mission (UNMISS) said in a statement extended to Radio Tamazuj.
The violence, according to the Mission, flared up in the early hours of Thursday morning, following a stabbing incident.
“UNMISS regrets the loss of lives and injuries to civilians, and calls for an immediate halt to the fighting so that the United Nations can continue to protect vulnerable families and de-escalate tensions,” it added.
The Mission pointed out that it has deployed reinforced military and police personnel in the area, in close collaboration with state authorities and the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), to conduct confidence-building patrols within the Malakal PoC site and along the perimeter.
“UNMISS is also engaging with leaders of the various communities in the PoC site, as well as the state government, to restore calm and order. The Mission urgently calls on the fighting communities to immediately cease any violence and use dialogue to address any grievances,” it said.
Separately, the Embassies of Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States expressed their deep concern over reports of fighting at the Protection of Civilians (POC) site in Malakal, Upper Nile State.
“We are saddened by reports of casualties, including of both deaths and injuries. We call for calm and restraint and urge all those in a position to influence the communities involved to take all appropriate steps to end the violence,” the three countries said in a joint statement.
David Dak, an IDP inside the Malakal PoC, told Radio Tamazuj that the fresh fighting is an extension of last month’s fighting between two communities at a water point.
“The fighting continued this morning after one person was killed yesterday night. The fighting involved the Nuer and Shilluk communities in Sector 2 of the camp. I don’t know how many people were killed. Guns were also used in the clashes,” he said.
The IDP said the fighting stopped after the state government intervened. He pointed out that tensions are still high in Malakal POC.
Meanwhile, Yohanis Kimo Deng, a deputy camp leader, said the fighting erupted after a young man was stabbed to death inside the UN camp yesterday.
“The security situation is very bad. There is tension between the two sides. Some people were shot dead but we don’t know the number of those who lost their lives,” he said.
Daniel Pal, a camp leader, called on the two communities to stop fighting and embrace peace and reconciliation.
“Fighting is not good because we are one and this fighting is not in our interest as the two communities. So this is the message I would like to send to the two communities,” he said.