JUBA - An overnight attack against a U.N. operating base in northern South Sudan showed "callous disregard" for civilians and aid workers, the head of the U.N. mission in the war-ravaged country said on Thursday.
The assault in the town of Leer, which lies in South Sudan's oil producing region, was repelled by Ghanaian peacekeepers. There were no reported injuries.The assailants' identity was not clear. David Shearer, head of the U.N. mission, said the attack was launched from the direction of a nearby government-held town.
"We call on all parties to the conflict to respect the sanctity of UN premises," Shearer said in a statement condemning the attack."We are here to protect and support the people of South Sudan," he added. "It is clear the attackers have no consideration for their plight, given those who most desperately need help will suffer more because of a likely resulting delay of humanitarian aid." Government officials and rebel representatives were not immediately available for a comment.
Separately on Thursday, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights
called on the Juba government to halt offensives toward Aburoc in the northern Upper Nile region, which borders Sudan, where between 35,000 and 50,000 people have sought refuge. "Civilians in Aburoc are at serious and imminent risk of gross human rights violations, inter-ethnic violence and re-displacement," Zeid said in a statement."The civilians in Aburoc have nowhere left to go, with the (army) closing in from the south and options to flee northwards severely limited and fraught with danger," Zeid said.
Civil war erupted in South Sudan in late 2013. The fighting has forced more than 3 million people to flee their homes and plunged parts of the country into famine, creating Africa's biggest refugee crisis since the Rwandan genocide in 1994. (Reporting by Clement Uwiringiyimana; Editing by Richard Lough)
Newer articles:
- Renegade general Cirillo says ready to enter South Sudan's civil war - 05/05/2017 04:32
- S. Sudan 'man-made' famine could kill 6 million, charity warns - 05/05/2017 04:23
- South Sudanese government releases U.N. aid worker detained for a month - 05/05/2017 00:42
- 'The country has become an enemy to itself': Winnipeggers step up to help famine-gripped South Sudan - 04/05/2017 18:25
- Freedom Gone but Work Goes On for South Sudan Journalists - 04/05/2017 12:33
Older news items
- UN rights chief warns of 50,000 at risk in South Sudan - 04/05/2017 07:08
- South Sudan judges strike paralyses courts - 04/05/2017 04:30
- South Sudan’s violence hasn’t stopped the spirit of dance hall music - 03/05/2017 16:02
- Amid war and famine, South Sudan raises fees for NGOs - 03/05/2017 15:18
- South Sudan: In Midst of Genocide, Civil War 16,000 Seek Refuge at Church 'Where Jesus Is' - 03/05/2017 15:16
Latest news items (all categories):
- The Emerging Endgame of the Russo-Ukrainian War - 05/08/2026 22:59
- The changing face of “Made in China” - 05/08/2026 22:41
- UK - Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to South Sudan: Rebecca Fabrizi - 05/08/2026 22:09
- South Sudan rewriting its future with eyes on agriculture and mining boom - 05/08/2026 21:53
- Moroccan king's letter confirms naming of major highway in honour of Trump - 05/08/2026 21:52
Random articles (all categories):
- The shipwreck of the Central African Republic... - 15/03/2021 01:35
- BREAKING: U.S. Treasury Sanctions on South Sudan entities - 14/12/2018 16:39
- Pope Apologises For Having To Cancel Africa Trip - 13/06/2022 02:34
- UN Security Council gravely concerned by escalating South Sudan violence - 16/02/2026 13:27
- Inside South Sudan, hopes for peace but rebels ready to resume fighting - 18/08/2015 08:41
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 148350 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 27925 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 25008 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 24331 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 22290 times
