The Nepalese troops based in the town of Rumbek were flown by helicopter, after heavy rains rendered roads impassable, to Maper 100 kilometres (60 miles) to the north to provide a "protective presence" in the area. AFP PHOTO
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said Tuesday it had re-deployed 75 troops to halt a cycle of communal attacks and revenge killings that have left 79 dead.
The Nepalese troops based in the town of Rumbek were flown by helicopter, after heavy rains rendered roads impassable, to Maper 100 kilometres (60 miles) to the north to provide a "protective presence" in the area.
The deployment "follows reports from local authorities that as many as 79 people have been killed and a further 101 injured in a series of communal clashes and revenge attacks between the Gak and Manuer communities," UNMISS said in a statement.
The mission noted that while political violence had largely subsided in South Sudan due to the signing of a peace deal in September 2018 "intercommunal clashes continue to result in the killing and injuring of civilians, cattle raiding and the looting of property."
Cattle raiding, a generations-old phenomenon in South Sudan, has grown increasingly deadly as cowherds arm themselves with automatic rifles, leading to vicious cycles of revenge killings.
Many herder communities nurse long-standing grievances unrelated to the national tug of war for power and the breakdown of law and order has only complicated such local conflicts.
"This fighting must stop," said United Nations special envoy David Shearer. "We are urging the communities involved and their leaders to put an end to the violence and to come together in reconciliation and peace for the good of their people."
South Sudan plunged into war in December 2013 after a falling out between President Salva Kiir and his rival Riek Machar.
The latest peace deal has led to the longest ceasefire of the war, but plans to reunite the two men in a power-sharing government have been repeatedly delayed.
Newer articles:
- Trump Administration Moves to Upgrade Diplomatic Ties With Sudan - 04/12/2019 16:15
- UN wants end to South Sudan inter-communal clashes, aid worker attacks - 04/12/2019 02:37
- Sudan Overturns Controversial Clothing, Drinking Law - 03/12/2019 08:34
- South Sudan official calls for political solutions to boundaries dispute - 03/12/2019 07:40
- South Sudan — Biometric Registration Update (October 2019) - 03/12/2019 06:48
Older news items
- UNHCR outraged at senseless attacks on humanitarians in South Sudan - 03/12/2019 01:53
- South Sudan wants to retain 32 states for stability, minister says - 03/12/2019 01:40
- A Short Window to Resuscitate South Sudan’s Ailing Peace Deal - 03/12/2019 01:23
- South Sudan reviews the National Integrated Diseases Surveillance and Response - 02/12/2019 23:10
- South Sudan women urge political leaders to implement peace deal - 02/12/2019 17:04
Latest news items (all categories):
- Hope for Christmas gift as South Sudan talks return to Nairobi - 05/12/2024 10:26
- Chinese medical team brings relief to South Sudan patients - 05/12/2024 10:18
- Sudanese bishop speaks about being brutalized by soldiers - 05/12/2024 10:08
- President Biden: Absent Principles - No Honoring Words - Broken Promises - 05/12/2024 09:55
- South Sudan’s ‘Game Of Thrones’ Continues – Analysis - 01/12/2024 17:47
Random articles (all categories):
- South Sudan opposition protests “targeted” arrest of its members - 25/10/2011 01:00
- FIFA Chief, in South Sudan, Promotes ‘New Era of Football’ - 24/03/2016 07:30
- Humanitarian agencies in South Sudan forced to reduce aid amid funding gaps - 08/09/2023 08:00
- South Sudan's Peace Talks Set for Sunday - 04/01/2014 16:40
- Collo SPLM candidates demand election rerun - 05/05/2010 17:14
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 58432 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 22216 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 21360 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 18883 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 17999 times