South Sudan's peace monitors decry surge in violence

JUBA, April 28 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan peace monitors on Saturday decried a surge in violence and fighting in three South Sudan states, terming the detainment of 10 aid workers as unacceptable violation of the ceasefire deal.

The Joint Monitoring Evaluation Commission (JMEC) said it is dismayed by reports that 10 aid workers, working for UN agencies and NGO's and supporting people in need, have gone missing from around Yei town in Central Equatoria.

"JMEC expects this deplorable situation to be resolved as quickly as possible and that the aid workers are found and released immediately and unconditionally," JMEC said in a statement issued in Juba.

Fierce fighting has been reported in Nhialdiu, Mayendit, Rupchai, Thaker, and Mirinyal, in the vicinity of Leer and Bentiu in the Unity region, as well as around Motot and Akobo in Jonglei.

In Leer, in the northern part of the country, armed clashes have occurred near a temporary UN mission operating base and peacekeepers have placed on high alert to protect some 600 internally displaced persons who sought sanctuary nearby.

The peace monitors said security and humanitarian violations are unacceptable and demanded unconditional and immediate release of aid workers who went missing on Wednesday.

It called on warring parties to comply with the terms of the Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access, signed on December 21 2017.

"JMEC condemns this latest violation of the two-signed Agreements, which demand unimpeded access for humanitarian aid workers in South Sudan," it said.

JMEC also condemned a reported outbreak of fighting in Unity, Jonglei and Central Equatoria states, where violent clashes are reportedly causing an influx of internally displaced people, especially women, children and the elderly, seeking sanctuary.

These incidents, the peace monitors said, must be investigated before any pronouncements can be made, noting however that all violence is unacceptable and potentially damaging to the on-going revitalization process.

"JMEC therefore has asked Ceasefire Transitional Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) to undertake the necessary investigation as stipulated in the 2017 Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access (ACoH)," it said.

The peace monitors further called upon all signatory parties to cease fighting, avoid confrontation and protect civilians from harm or displacement and fully comply with the provisions of the ACoH in both letter and spirit.

South Sudan has been embroiled in four years of conflict that has taken a devastating toll on the people, creating one of the fastest growing refugee crisis in the world.

A peace deal signed in August 2015 between the rival leaders under UN pressure led to the establishment of a transitional unity government in April, but was shattered by renewed fighting in July 2016.