The United Nations has urged for calm following reports of deadly clashes in South Sudan that have resulted in civilian casualties and injuries to a peacekeeper.
According to a statement from the UN mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), fighting erupted between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPSF) and “armed youth” in Nasir, located in Upper Nile state, which borders Sudan, on February 14 and 15.
The statement indicated that some combatants employed “heavy weaponry,” leading to reported fatalities and injuries among both civilians and armed personnel.
While specific figures regarding the injured were not provided, it was noted that a UN peacekeeper on a routine patrol sustained injuries due to mortar shelling.
Nicholas Haysom, the special representative of the UN secretary-general and head of UNMISS, called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
“I urge all parties to exercise restraint and restore calm without delay. I also strongly condemn any acts of violence against our peacekeepers, emphasizing that such actions violate international law,” Haysom stated.
The UN also highlighted ongoing “persistent tensions” in Western Equatorial state, located on the opposite side of the country, involving “organized forces,” though further details were not disclosed.
Haysom emphasized that the circumstances in both regions highlight the urgent need for the complete deployment of South Sudan’s unified armed forces.
The nation has suffered through a brutal five-year civil war between President Kiir and his rival, Vice President Riek Machar. A peace agreement reached in 2018 mandated the unification of armed forces in preparation for elections that have faced multiple delays.
UNMISS has reported that the unification of the military has not yet been realized.
