US Calls For End To Violent South Sudan Clashes
The United States has publicly called for an end to the violent clashes that have been happening in South Sudan since Friday.
The clashes broke out on Friday in the city of Juba, with ex-rebels and the country’s army clashing in deadly attacks. The clashes continued throughout the weekend.
Currently, it is believed that more than 150 people have been killed since the clashes started.
The violence started only a day after South Sudan celebrated their fifth independence day. It has also hampered the attempted peace deal that has been put in place to try and bring an end to the civil war that has erupted over the past three years, since 2013.
The violence between the army and the former rebels comes after former rebel leader, Riek Machar returned in April.
Machar returned to the post of vice president of the country, even under his former enemy during the war, President Salva Kiir.
The US has said that they have ordered all nonessential personnel out of the country, over fears of the violence escalating.
They also said that they were ‘determined to ensure’ appropriate measures are taken to those who can be held accountable for the outbreak in violence:
“…The United States is determined to ensure appropriate measures are taken to hold accountable those responsible for continuing fighting and violations of international humanitarian law, including attacks on the UN Mission in South Sudan [UNMISS] and targeting of civilians,” John Kirby, spokesperson for the US State Department said.
Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, said that he was ‘shocked and appalled’ at the outbreak of violence, and also called for an immediate end to he clashes.
Michael Makuei, South Sudan’s information minister, however, blamed the rebels for the resurgence of violence. He also said that the President was expected to call for a ceasefire between the army and the rebels:
“…We are expecting his excellency the president will issue a unilateral ceasefire, binding on his forces. We hope the First Vice President Riek Machar will follow suit,” he said.
