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UNMISS ‘deplores’ Sudan air attacks on Bentiu

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) strongly disapproved attacks by Sudanese warplanes in border areas particularly in Unity state. In a statement, the UN Mission said that it “deplores the continued aerial bombardments in Bentiu town, which is heavily populated by civilians.” This came following an attack Monday morning carried out by a Sudanese warplane on Rubkona market and Bentiu town in Unity state, which killed two people and wounded ten. While addressing the press Monday evening in Juba, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for South Sudan Hilde Johnson stated that 13 civilians including women and children lost their lives and 25 people were wounded last week as a result of aerial bombing campaigns by Khartoum in Unity and Upper Nile states of south Sudan. Johnson stated UNMISS’ mandate is to protect civilian lives but noted that the mission on the ground has no means to intervene into the conflict between Sudan and South Sudan; she said that it is upon the United Nation Security Council to address such tension. She also pointed out that the mission has no mandate to protect territorial integrity nor properties within the Republic of South Sudan. Johnson urged Sudan and South Sudan to abide by international laws and human rights such as the obligation to protect the lives of civilians and to guarantee the safety of international aid organisations.

April 24, 2012 Bentiu

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) strongly disapproved attacks by Sudanese warplanes in border areas particularly in Unity state.

In a statement, the UN Mission said that it “deplores the continued aerial bombardments in Bentiu town, which is heavily populated by civilians.”

This came following an attack Monday morning carried out by a Sudanese warplane on Rubkona market and Bentiu town in Unity state, which killed two people and wounded ten.

While addressing the press Monday evening in Juba, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for South Sudan Hilde Johnson stated that 13 civilians including women and children lost their lives and 25 people were wounded last week as a result of aerial bombing campaigns by Khartoum in Unity and Upper Nile states of south Sudan.

Johnson stated UNMISS’ mandate is to protect civilian lives but noted that the mission on the ground has no means to intervene into the conflict between Sudan and South Sudan; she said that it is upon the United Nation Security Council to address such tension.

She also pointed out that the mission has no mandate to protect territorial integrity nor properties within the Republic of South Sudan.

Johnson urged Sudan and South Sudan to abide by international laws and human rights such as the obligation to protect the lives of civilians and to guarantee the safety of international aid organisations.