The United Nations Security Council issued a statement Friday saying that any attack against a United Nations base may constitute a war crime, referring to “credible reports” that SPLA soldiers entered the UNMISS base in Malakal during violence last week.
At least 18 people were killed and more than 90 wounded during the outbreak of violence at the UN Protection Site on Wednesday and Thursday.
Council President Rafael Darío Ramírez Carreño of Venezuela said that the members of the UN security body were “particularly alarmed by credible reports of armed men in Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) uniforms entering the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) camp and firing on civilians, and the looting and burning of tents.”
He added, “The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms all attacks and provocations against civilians and the United Nations by armed actors, including SPLA soldiers, and reminded all parties, including Government security forces, of the civilian character of the protection of civilian sites in South Sudan.”
Carreño further called for calm by all sides and to refrain from additional fighting, acts of violence, and further provocations.
He added, “The members of the Security Council stressed that attacks against civilians and United Nations premises may constitute war crimes and those involved could be potentially subject to sanctions as authorized under resolution 2206 (2015) for actions that threaten the peace, security or stability of South Sudan.”
The diplomat also expressed condolences and sympathy to the families of those who were killed.