JUBA, South Sudan - United Nations, United States: Clashes
between rival army factions in South Sudan have left up to 500 dead and
800 wounded, a top UN official told the UN Security Council.
The United Nations has been
told by local hospitals that between 400 and 500 people have been killed
in South Sudan’s capital since Sunday, UN peacekeeping chief Herve
Ladsous told the council, according to diplomats who attended a private
briefing with him.
Ladsous told the council, according to diplomats who attended a private
briefing with him.
Troops loyal to President
Salva Kiir have been fighting rival followers of former vice president
Riek Machar. Salva Kiir has accused the rival camp of staging a coup.
Between 15,000 and 20,000 people have sought refuge in UN compounds around Juba, Ladsous was quoted as saying.
Ladsous told the council that the United
Nations had not been able to verify the toll given by two hospitals in
the capital, Juba.
Nations had not been able to verify the toll given by two hospitals in
the capital, Juba.
Security Council president
Gerard Araud, France’s UN ambassador, said after the emergency
consultations that while the number of dead had not been confirmed
“there is a heavy toll, it is obvious.”
Araud added
that fighting had also been reported outside of the capital, in Pibor in
Jonglei state which has a history of clashes between rival ethnic
groups.
- The government said 10 key figures including ex-ministers have been arrested, but that Riek Machar was on the run.
- Araud said the fighting appeared to be on ethnic lines. Salva Kiir is an ethnic Dinka while Riek Machar is a Nuer.
- A Security Council statement expressed “serious concern” over the fighting that has caused “large numbers of casualties, as well as over the risk of targeted violence against certain communities.”
- The council called on both sides to “immediately cease hostilities.”
UN leader Ban Ki-moon spoke
with Salva Kiir on Tuesday and urged him to offer “dialogue” with the
opposition. Ban also spoke with the president of neighboring Uganda, Yoweri Musseveni, about the unrest, officials said.
The Security Council also said Salva Kiir’s government should hold talks with the opposition.
The Security Council meeting
was called at the request of the United States which has ordered
non-essential diplomatic staff out of South Sudan.
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