Two Rwandan peacekeepers were over the weekend injured in attacks in the wake of the recent escalating fighting between military factions allied to South Sudan leaders. Fighting broke out last week pitting forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and his first vice-president Riek Machar in the capital Juba. Speaking to The New Times, yesterday, the acting Defence and Military Spokesperson, Lt Col René Ngendahimana, said the injured Rwandan officers were being treated. The Rwandan peacekeepers are part of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) where Rwanda maintains 1,650 troops. “Only two RDF soldiers sustained minor injuries. They are being treated. No Rwandan soldier was killed,” Ngendahimana said. The UN Security Council said on Sunday that several UN peacekeepers from Rwanda and China were killed or injured in attacks in the wake of the recent escalating fighting in Juba. In a statement issued following an emergency session, the Security Council “condemned in the strongest terms the escalation of fighting in Juba” that started on July 7 between soldiers of the South Sudan government and the SPLM in Opposition. On Sunday, the Security Council joined Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in calling for an end to the fighting, while separately demanding that President Kiir and Machar do their utmost to control their respective forces. According to Ban, UN compounds and civilian protection sites in Juba have been caught in the cross-fire. “The members of the Council condemned in the strongest terms, all attacks and provocations against civilians and the United Nations. They emphasised the need for UN civilian protection sites and United Nations personnel to remain secure,” said Koro Bessho, the Japanese envoy to the UN. Japan currently holds the Council’s presidency. The Council expressed its readiness to consider enhancing the mission to better ensure that the UNMISS and the international community can prevent and respond to violence in South Sudan, Bessho said. The Mission has reported that heavy fighting in Juba, including close to UNMISS compounds at UN House Jebel and Tomping, had prompted about 1,000 internally displaced people to flee from the UNMISS protection of civilians site (PoC) 1 into the UNMISS compound at UN House Jebel. Both UNMISS compounds in Juba sustained impacts from small arms and heavy weapons fire, the Mission reported. Meanwhile, the Burundi-based International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), yesterday, issued a statement indicating that it is deeply concerned and outraged by the resumption of hostilities in and around Juba. “The ICGLR condemns this act of violence which has a potential of reversing the progress made so far in the peace process, and may result into a severe social and humanitarian crisis, displacement and continued suffering of the populations,” reads part of the statement. The ICGLR urged the Government of South Sudan and the leadership of SPLM-in-Opposition to cease hostilities and work together as partners to implement the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, and allow South Sudanese to enjoy peace and stability. The Mission has reported that heavy fighting in Juba, including close to UNMISS compounds at UN House Jebel and Tomping, had prompted about 1,000 internally displaced people to flee from the UNMISS protection of civilians site (PoC) 1 into the UNMISS compound at UN House Jebel. Both UNMISS compounds in Juba sustained impacts from small arms and heavy weapons fire, the Mission reported. Meanwhile, the Burundi-based International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), yesterday, issued a statement indicating that it is deeply concerned and outraged by the resumption of hostilities in and around Juba. “The ICGLR condemns this act of violence which has a potential of reversing the progress made so far in the peace process, and may result into a severe social and humanitarian crisis, displacement and continued suffering of the populations,” reads part of the statement. The ICGLR urged the Government of South Sudan and the leadership of SPLM-in-Opposition to cease hostilities and work together as partners to implement the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, and allow South Sudanese to enjoy peace and stability. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
