South Sudan’s Presidential Press Secretary Ateny Wek has denied reports that government forces were involved in the violence that broke out at the UN Protection Site in Malakal town of Upper Nile State last week.
At least 18 people were killed and more than 90 wounded during the outbreak of the violence at the POC Site last Wednesday and Thursday. Thousands fled the Protection site into Malakal town or into a UN base, according to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.
Ateny Wek said in statement to Radio Tamazuj that the violence that erupted in Malakal POC site was among the IDPs themselves and the government had nothing to do with it.
“What happened was fighting between members of tribes inside the UN protection site and the government has nothing to do with it,” he said.
“The government was like any other institution surprised by what has happened and the kind of guns used during the outbreak of the violence,” Ateny said. He stressed that the protection site was under the responsibility of the United Nations.
However, the UN Security Council has said here are “credible reports” that government soldiers in uniform entered the protection site, opened fire on civilians, and looted and burned tents.
Separately, Ateny was asked about the violence in Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal State. The Presidential Press Secretary refused to give any information, saying that the incident was contained and those who were behind it were arrested and being investigated.
Meanwhile, the UN children’s agency UNICEF says that a number of children were injured and others were separated from their families during the outbreak of violence in the Malakal POC site.
UNICEF Country Representative in South Sudan Jonathan Veitch said they have registered 58 unaccompanied children, with 55 of them now reunified with their families.
“The vast majority of people sheltering in the site are women and children who have already borne the brunt of this conflict and are now once again experiencing horrific violence, trauma and displacement,” said Jonathan Veitch.
He says there is now an urgent need for additional emergency supplies, including plastic sheeting and blankets, for women and children who have lost everything and are sleeping in the open. The UN children agency called on the warring parties to protect children from harm.