The UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan is evacuating personnel from several bases in Jonglei and handing them over to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA).
Akobo base after being overrun on Thursday was abandoned by the UN and handed over to the SPLA, the peacekeepers’ acknowledged in a press release. Likewise 40 blue helmets vacated their Yuai base on Friday.
Over 20 civilians who sought refuge inside the Akobo base were killed during the attack, which was carried out by gunmen from the Lou Nuer tribe. Two peacekeepers from India also died in the assault.
The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) says an estimated 2,000 Nuer youth surrounded the base and began an attack at approximately 3:45 p.m. on Thursday. They opened fire on some Dinka families were seeking protection. By 6:00 p.m. the base was retaken in a “coordinated action” by SPLA and UNMISS.
According to a press statement, all UN staff and aid workers in the compound were airlifted from the Akobo base on Friday morning. Bases elsewhere in the country are presently havens for at least 30,000 South Sudanese fearing for their lives.
UN Deputy Special Representative and Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan Toby Lanzer expressed concerns about the mission’s ability to support 15,000 civilians taking refuge in the UN base in the Jonglei State capital Bor. He says that many foreign nationals are amongst the 15,000 civilians: “We will need help with this important dimension to the crisis”.
The members of the UN Security Council provided a statement on Friday saying that ‘efforts to undermine UNMISS’s ability to implement its mandate will not be tolerated and urged all parties to cooperate fully with UNMISS’.
Bor
One mortar shell fell on Thursday in the UNMISS compound in Bor. UNMISS has no information on whether there were casualties. Security reports indicate that the situation in town has deteriorated further. The airport remained in control of defected SLPA troops led by Peter Gadet, a Nuer general loyal to the president’s opponent Riek Machar.
Akobo
After the death of two Indian battalion soldiers on its base in Akobo the UN announced it would reinforce the base with 60 armed peacekeepers from Malakal.
But following the evacuation of the Indian peacekeepers the intended relief operation was not mentioned again by the UN Mission, which stated instead in a press release that “the base remains under the protection and control of SPLA troops.”
Following the takeover of the base, the Lou Nuer militia seized weapons, ammunition and other supplies.
Hilde Johnson, UN Special Representative in South Sudan, says “I deplore this unjustified and unwarranted attack on the United Nations Mission base in Akobo, killing peacekeepers that were here to protect civilians and serve the people of South Sudan.”
“It is a criminal act for which the responsible must be held accountable. Such attacks will not deter us from continuing to discharge our mandate,” she said.
Bentiu
The state capital Bentiu of Unity State is firmly under the control of the 4th Division, Radio Tamazuj reported, but it remains unclear the degree to which the division remains loyal to the South Sudanese president or has been influenced by the defectors led by Riek Machar.
Within the town police have been seen in the streets evacuating Dinka civilians under escort toward the UN compound. According to UN Spokesman Joseph Contreras at least 900 people are sheltering there.
No casualty figure is yet established from the clashes. According to the deputy governor the military and police are making an assessment.