South Sudanese opposition forces attacked the protection-of-civilians site at the UNMISS compound outside Malakal yesterday evening at around 18:00, killing one person and injuring six, according to a statement by the UN Mission in South Sudan.
“The Mission has received information that three members of forces belonging to either the Sudan People’s Liberation Army In Opposition or the allied militia led by Gen. Johnson Olony who are currently controlling the Upper Nile state capital opened fire on IDPs at a recently opened protection-of-civilians site in the UNMISS compound today,” reads a UN statement released late yesterday.
One civilian was killed and another six IDPs were wounded. The wounded are currently receiving treatment at the hospital inside the UNMISS compound, and one is said to be in a critical condition.
“The exact circumstances surrounding the shooting incident remain unclear. But any attack on a protection-of-civilians site constitutes a direct assault against the United Nations and may constitute a war crime,” the UNMISS announced.
UNMISS peacekeepers returned fire against the assailants, the statement discloses, without giving more specifics. The Mission says that it wants to know from opposition commanders who specifically perpetrated the crime.
The spokesman of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in New York condemned the attack calling on former Vice President Riek Machar and Johnson Olony, Commander of opposition forces, to conduct an immediate investigation into this incident and hold to account those responsible.
Ban Ki-moon also reiterated “that there is no military solution to the conflict in South Sudan and calls on all parties to immediately cease the hostilities and make the necessary compromises to urgently conclude the negotiations facilitated by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD).”
He expressed his condolences to the bereaved family and he wished speedy recovery to those wounded in this attack.