缅北禁地

17 December 2013 Amid reports of continued clashes today in South Sudan, senior United Nations officials are calling for restraint and protection of civilians, regardless of their communities.

听Ban Ki-moon has called on leaders of the Sudan People鈥檚 Liberation Army (SPLA), whose members are fighting with each other in the capital, Juba, 鈥渢o impose discipline on their forces and to exercise maximum restraint in the use of force.鈥�

鈥淚t is essential that the Government guarantees the security of all civilians,鈥� Mr. Ban鈥檚 spokesperson听听in a statement released last night, noting the risk of targeted violence against certain communities.

The 缅北禁地Mission in South Sudan () is continuing to provide protection to an estimated 10,000 people at two of its compounds, according to the latest figures from Juba.

The clinic at the Tomping compound has already passed its maximum capacity with at least 39 people admitted for medical treatment and three babies born overnight, according to the latest information.

鈥淭he Mission is taking every possible step to ensure their safety while they are staying on UNMISS premises,鈥� it stated in a news release.

The head of UNMISS and Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Hilde Johnson, today warned against hate speech in relation to the inter-communal violence, cautioning that it is paramount that it does not assume ethic dimensions.

鈥淎t a time when unity among South Sudanese is more needed than ever, I call on the leaders of this new country and all political factions and parties, as well as community leaders to refrain from any action that fuels ethnic tensions and exacerbates violence,鈥� she听.

鈥淎s South Sudan struggles to overcome the current crisis, the Mission urges all of its citizens and leaders to guard against any incendiary actions or violence against particular communities,鈥� UNMISS added.

It also echoed Mr. Ban鈥檚 statement, stressing that 鈥渄iscipline, command and control in the security forces are more important than ever.鈥�

Media reports say over 60 soldiers have been killed in two days of clashes in Juba, following what the Government says is an attempted coup by soldiers loyal to former deputy president Riek Machar, who was dismissed in July.