Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest YouTube Tumblr LinkedIn RSS
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Donate
    • Forum
    • Contact
    Login
    InfoStride NewsInfoStride News
    • Home
    • Business
    • Celebrity
    • Crime
    • Nigeria
    • Politics
    • Sports
    • Technology
    • More
      • COVID-19
      • Editor’s Picks
      • Health
      • Opinions
      • Press Releases
      • World
    Subscribe
    InfoStride NewsInfoStride News
    Home»News»African News»UN peacekeeping chief urges South Sudan parties to respect ceasefire amid fresh clashes

    UN peacekeeping chief urges South Sudan parties to respect ceasefire amid fresh clashes

    African News By UN NewsMar 19, 2014No Comments5 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email Reddit VKontakte

    18 March 2014 – The United Nations peacekeeping chief today called on the parties in South sudan to respect the cessation of hostilities agreement they signed two months ago, amid reports of fighting between Government and opposition forces on the ground.

    “The security and humanitarian situation in South sudan will continue to deteriorate until the parties fully engage in the political talks, respect the cessation of hostilities and allow freedom of movement for the United Nations and its partners,” Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hervé Ladsous said as he briefed the Security Council.

    “Both parties continue to prioritize the pursuit of military gains over talks towards a comprehensive political settlement. The crisis has already affected the security of the region. The longer it goes on, the more chances for further regional intervention will grow.”

    The comments by Mr. Ladsous come as the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) reported fighting between Government and opposition forces in the town of Malakal in Upper Nile state. Two tank shells exploded about 200 metres from the Mission’s compound last evening, wounding a displaced civilian sheltering at the protection site. Sporadic arms fire and artillery shell explosions were also heard yesterday, also not far away from the compound.

    UNMISS reiterated the importance for both parties to fully comply with the cessation of hostilities agreement that was signed in January and which aims to stem the conflict that began in mid-December. The crisis in the world’s youngest nation has uprooted over 700,000 people from their homes, including 77,000 who are seeking refuge at UNMISS bases.

    The Mission also stressed that both parties to the conflict must respect the inviolability of UN premises and facilities, as well as the life-saving work that the world body is doing on the ground.

    See also  Central African Republic: UN body urges creation of environment conducive for elections

    In his briefing, Mr. Ladsous noted that UNMISS was deployed to help South Sudan transform into a democratic State and to assist its leadership deliver long awaited peace and independence dividends to its citizens.

    “Today, the leadership stands divided, its security institutions are fragmented and the society is victimized by communal tensions. Under these conditions, and as discussed with this Council, the initial raison d’être of UNMISS no longer applies,” he said.

    Therefore, as stated by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his latest report on South Sudan, the situation necessitates a “strategic shift” in UNMISS’ posture, he noted. Accordingly, the UN will temporarily put on hold activities dedicated to the extension of State authority and focus on five main priorities, including the protection of civilians, the facilitation of humanitarian assistance, and human rights monitoring and reporting.

    “This new posture of the Mission will remain in place until the parties finalize a comprehensive political agreement,” stated Mr. Ladsous, adding that, once this happens, a more comprehensive review of UNMISS’ mandate, posture and capabilities will be carried out.

    As part of ongoing efforts by the UN and its partners to assist those in need, the World Food Programme (WFP) has started a series of airdrops of food assistance to remote areas of the country.

    Two rounds of airdrops today delivered enough cereals for about 8,000 displaced people for about 15 days in the town of Ganyiel in Unity state, the agency said in a news release. Airdrops are planned for nine locations in Upper Nile, Jonglei and Unity states, and may be expanded to reach other areas.

    “We are in a race against time to get assistance to people who are in critical need in places we simply haven’t been able to reach by road or river,” said WFP Country Director Chris Nikoi.

    See also  Somalia registers record export of livestock in 2014 due to trade boost with Gulf States

    “Given the level of the conflict, we have known for some time that we would have to move some food by air to some parts of the country, particularly during the rainy season, but we have faced more difficulties than envisioned and now need to deliver more food by air than planned.”

    Insecurity, border restrictions and other barriers to humanitarian access are causing serious problems for WFP moving food into and around the country at a time when the agency is urgently trying to deliver food assistance to hundreds of thousands of people in need, as well as to pre-position food before the rainy season makes more than half the country inaccessible by road.

    WFP has provided food assistance and nutrition support to some 765,000 people in South Sudan since the crisis began, and is aiming to scale up its assistance to support 2.5 million conflict-affected and food-insecure people in South Sudan over the coming months.

    Working closely with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), it is also supporting a rapidly growing number of South Sudanese refugees who have fled to neighbouring countries. More than 210,000 refugees from South Sudan have arrived in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Sudan since the crisis began.

    WFP is concerned about reports of “alarmingly high” rates of malnutrition among children arriving at refugee camps in neighbouring countries, particularly Ethiopia, said Valerie Guarnieri, WFP Regional Director for East and Central Africa.

    “While we are working with partners to provide specialized nutritious foods for refugee children, the high levels of malnutrition are a sign that the humanitarian situation in inaccessible regions of South Sudan may be rapidly deteriorating.”

    Source: UN News Centre – Africa

    Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate

    African News UN News UN News Centre United Nations
    Share. Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Pinterest Reddit Tumblr VKontakte Email LinkedIn

    Related Posts

    BudgIT reflects the Economic Legacy of the Buhari Administration

    May 29, 2023

    Anambra: Women leader allegedly sacked for supporting LP in 2023 election

    May 28, 2023

    Ganduje to hand over to new Kano govt today over Tinubu’s inauguration

    May 28, 2023

    Ogunewe not our Imo governorship candidate – Action Alliance

    May 28, 2023
    Add A Comment

    Comments are closed.

    Get Social with Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest 95
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    Latest Posts

    BudgIT reflects the Economic Legacy of the Buhari Administration

    May 29, 2023

    My Father Is The Reason Nigeria Has Internet – Eldee

    May 28, 2023

    Rashford Can Still Improve His Game – Erik ten Hag

    May 28, 2023

    God Will Bless Blessing Okoro’s New Age – IVD

    May 28, 2023

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest breaking news straight into your inbox!

    Random News

    Omotola’s Hubby Plan ‘Surprise’ Vacation To Celebrate 20th Wedding Anniversary

    Mar 19, 2016

    Thank You Tour to Brass LGA: Gov Dickson Pledges Partnership with FG, Investors for Brass LNG

    Nov 26, 2013

    BringBackOurGirls Group Demands Military Action For Rescue Of Chibok Girls

    Aug 19, 2014

    COVID-19 in Nigeria: 100 New Cases, 55,005 Total Cases and 1057 Total Deaths as of 6th September 2020

    Sep 6, 2020

    InfoStride News delivers the latest breaking news, Nigeria news, world news and top stories on business, celebrity, entertainment, politics, sports, technology and more. Experience the best of in-depth coverage, special reports, football highlights, political opinions, crime watch, celebrity gossips etc.

    GooglePlay Store Button

    Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism

    Credible journalism involves a lot of efforts and money; and can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. We need your support to continue offering free access to our loyal readers and visitors like you.

    Click here to Donate

    Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest YouTube Tumblr LinkedIn RSS
    • Our Terms
    © 2023 InfoStride News. All Rights Reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Sign In or Register

    Welcome Back!

    Login to your account below.

    Continue with Facebook
    Continue with Google
    Continue with Twitter
    Lost password?