UNSC condemns renewed violence in South Sudan, threatens sanctions
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November 6, 2014 (NEW YORK) - The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has
strongly condemned the renewed deadly clashes between warring factions in
South Sudan and threatened to impose sanctions on those seen to be impeding
the ongoing peace process in order to end the war.
The strongly worded statement came on Wednesday following a briefing to the
UNSC on the situation in South Sudan by the United Nations Mission in South
Sudan (UNMISS) Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ellen
Margrethe Loj, and UNMISS Force Commander, Lieutenant-General Yohannes
Gebremeskel Tesfamariam through a videoconference from the South Sudanese
capital, Juba.
"The members of the Security Council expressed their alarm and outrage at
the resumption of hostilities between the Sudan People's Liberation Army
(SPLA) and Opposition forces in Bentiu and Rubkhona, Unity State, South
Sudan on 26-30 October, and along the Sobat River in Upper Nile State on 2
November," reads the statement issued by the Council's president, Gary
Quinlan.
"The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms these
acts that resulted in the death and injury of civilians, violated cessation
of hostilities agreements, and demonstrated an absence of commitment by both
sides to peace and the political process," it reads.
The statement further underlined that the hostilities were magnifying an
already serious humanitarian crisis which has displaced a total of more than
1.8 million South Sudanese.
The Security Council threatened "appropriate measures, including targeted
sanctions against those impeding the peace process."
The Council demanded an immediate end to all violence, and reiterated their
demand to end human rights violations and abuses and violations of
international humanitarian law.
They also renewed their call upon the government of South Sudan to take
steps to ensure the safety of all civilians and to swiftly investigate
incidents of human rights abuses, and to bring the perpetrators of these
"heinous acts" to justice.
UNSC also confirmed its strong support to the peace process mediated by the
Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), adding that it would also
look forward to the results of the forthcoming investigation from the IGAD
Monitoring and Verification Mechanism on the outbreak of violence.
The Council also welcomed the next IGAD Summit currently scheduled for
Thursday, 6 November, to "press president Salva Kiir and Dr Riek Machar to
urgently reach agreement on inclusive and comprehensive arrangements for a
Transitional Government of National Unity".
The world body reiterated what it said was steadfast support for UNMISS and
its vital mission on behalf of the international community to protect
civilians in South Sudan, "conduct human rights monitoring and
investigations, facilitate humanitarian assistance to populations in need,
and support monitoring of the cessation of hostilities agreement".
The statement further condemned the recent detentions of three UNMISS
personnel and the kidnappings of two UN-affiliated personnel by the
government's security operatives.
"The members of the Security Council demanded their immediate and safe
release, and called upon the Government of South Sudan to swiftly
investigate these incidents and to ensure that justice is served," the
statement says.
The members of the Council renewed their demand that all parties cooperate
fully with UNMISS and respect the inviolability of UNMISS protection sites.
The statement also condemned violations of the Status of Forces Agreement
(SOFA) and stressed that threats and attacks on United Nations personnel and
facilities are unacceptable and may constitute a violation of international
law.
The highest security organ of the world body also expressed concern about
the "increased harassment and targeting" of NGOs and humanitarian workers,
as well as journalists, in South Sudan.
It said the body was also looking forward to the final report of the AU
Commission of Inquiry.
Tens of thousands have died, 1.8 million displaced while over 4 million
others threatened by hunger and diseases since the outbreak of violence in
mid-December.
Both sides in the conflict have traded accusations over which group
instigated the recent violence in a conflict which started as a
misunderstanding within the leadership of the ruling party, the Sudan
Peoples' Liberation Movement (SPLM).
The ongoing IGAD-mediated peace talks in Ethiopia is the only hope to try to
end the violent crisis.