The head of the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), David Shearer, on Thursday expressed his concern over deteriorating security in parts of the country coupled with increased displacement.

Speaking to reporters in Juba on Thursday, Shearer said the deteriorating security situation and displacement of civilians could worsen the humanitarian suffering in the country through outbreaks of diseases such as diarrhoea and even cholera.

The further said the situation in Bor-Pibor area is particularly concerning with fears of violent clashes between youths from the Dinka Bor and Murle communities.

 “We are worried that might spark more widespread fighting between those two communities [and] hence the reason we are providing support to the peace efforts on the ground,” he said, noting also the work that is being done with the government to ease the situation.

“The important thing is that we de-escalate tensions and provide an opportunity to talk rather than to fight because fighting only will result in a greater cycle of revenge [that] will be of no benefit to [anyone],” he added.

The UN envoy also spoke of violence in various regions of the country, including attacks on peacekeepers and relief personnel, which have severely constricted the humanitarian operating space, and underscored the Mission’s resolve to do everything it can to ensure that assistance reaches those in need.

“The attacks have a direct consequence on humanitarian activities and the assistance that can be provided to people who desperately need it,” he said, terming such violence as an “extraordinarily selfish thing to do”.