The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Friday condemned fresh attacks and violence by armed elements, targeted at internally displaced persons seeking refuge at the Adidiang island site, located about 40 kilometres south of the state capital, Malakal.
In a statement, UNMISS said some accounts suggest that several fleeing civilians might have drowned in the Nile River. Up to 5,000 civilians had fled to the site last month, following deadly fighting between rival armed groups in Tonga, further west of Malakal.
“The latest attack has also triggered violent intercommunal clashes among some internally displaced persons (of different groups) within the UNMISS protection of civilians (POC) site where UNMISS personnel responded quickly to restore order and provide robust security on site,” the statement said in part.
UNMISS also called on the attackers to cease hostilities immediately and refrain from harming vulnerable civilians and internally displaced persons. The mission also called on the state and national authorities to intervene urgently to de-escalate the situation and protect civilian lives.
“UN peacekeepers have been deployed to rescue drowning civilians and provide protection for the affected population. The Mission is engaging all stakeholders concerned, including feuding parties, authorities, and local communities to enable a timely and collective response,” the statement added.