The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Thursday called for calm after three people were killed and dozens injured, following inter-communal clashes in Malakal protection of civilians site (PoC) in northern Upper Nile state.
The peacekeeping mission said that the violence flared up in the early hours of Thursday morning, following a stabbing incident.
“UNMISS is gravely concerned about an eruption in tensions and deadly inter-communal fighting this morning in the UN protection of civilians site in Malakal. Initial reports indicate that at least 3 persons have been killed and more than 20 injured, with some of those injured receiving treatment at the Mission’s hospital,” UNMISS said in a statement issued in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.
On May 28th, one person was killed and several others injured after fighting broke out between communities over a water point at the Malakal PoC site.
UNMISS disclosed that additional peacekeepers made up of military and police personnel have been deployed to the area to restore calm.
It said it’s peacekeeping force is closely collaborating state authorities and the South Sudan army (SSPDF), to conduct confidence-building patrols within the Malakal PoC site and along the perimeter.
“UNMISS is also engaging with leaders of the various communities in the PoC site, as well as the state government, to restore calm and order. The Mission urgently calls on the fighting communities to immediately cease any violence and use dialogue to address any grievances,” it said.
