UN steps up efforts to maintain peace in South Sudan’s state

The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has stepped up efforts to maintain peace in Malakal town Upper Nile State, following violence that killed several people last week.

UNMISS said that it will continue to support efforts to protect civilians and maintain calm through intensive patrols and engagement with affected communities.

Nicholas Haysom, special representative of the UN secretary-general and head of UNMISS, said in a statement issued in Juba on Friday, the capital of South Sudan, that the situation is currently calm but fragile.

“We appreciate the coordination and close partnerships with national, state and local authorities who played an important role in ensuring that further escalations in violence do not take place and that people are able to resume their daily activities safely,” Haysom said.

The clashes erupted on May 30 between the Dinka and Shilluk communities over the disputed Akoka area, with armed Dinka men attacking and killing four Shilluk fishermen who were under civilian protection.

In retaliation, the Shilluk community moved out of the UN Protection of Civilians Site and killed a driver belonging to the Dinka community in Malakal town.

The UN mission commended the swift and ongoing responses by state authorities and government security forces in reducing the tensions and keeping the communities safe.

UNMISS said that it was working closely with government partners and has proactively deployed peacekeepers in and around the UN Protection of Civilians Site in Malakal to make sure displaced people were secured.

(Xinhua/NAN)