The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said on Thursday it has withdrawn 30 humanitarian aid workers in the wake of recent renewed fighting in Aburoc area of Upper Nile region.
The Head of UNMISS, David Shearer, said that they were forced to withdraw 30 aid workers following outbreak of fighting on Wednesday in Aburoc area.
This had put thousands of civilians at risk as government troop’s fight to dislodge rebels from the northern town.
“We are still unclear about exactly what is happening on the ground in terms of whether the fighting is ongoing or likely to carry on.
“What is important is for both parties to pull back, because there are a number of civilians there (Aburoc) that humanitarian organisations would have been supporting,” he said in Juba.
“I have been there and I have visited the area and the overwhelming numbers of them are women, children and older people.
“So, I would like the warring parties to pull back and allow those people to the safe sanctuary that they deserve and they need,” he said.
There are about 10,000 people including women and children left in the restive Aburoc area located along the Nile River banks.
In May, the UNMISS forces were temporarily deployed there to help with delivery of humanitarian aid following fighting between warring factions.
Shearer also disclosed that South Sudan’s worsening humanitarian crisis and peace deal revival efforts by the East African bloc, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), would be discussed at the ongoing 72nd UN General Assembly in New York.
He disclosed that the meeting will also highlight the importance of ending impunity for attacks against civilians and humanitarian aid workers.
He added that 18 aid workers were killed in South Sudan this year including the recent killing of a driver working with International Committee of the Red Cross in Central Equatoria.
“We hope for solidarity of purpose between the UN, AU and IGAD for those organisations to agree a steady commitment to reach political settlement, and support revitalisation of the peace process.
“I anticipate that the discussion will seem to run plans for the upcoming IGAD revitalisation forum in Addis Ababa,” he added.
Shearer noted that the ongoing national dialogue would be raised in New York.
The UN has already provided financial, logistical support besides bringing in a number of experts to train and advise the steering committee of the national dialogue.
“The UN sees the national dialogue as positive step in the overall pursuit of peace, as well as an opportunity to inject new life into the 2015 peace agreement.
However, for the national dialogue to be successful and enable free discussion and bring parties together, the cessation of hostilities is important,” he said.
(Xinhua/NAN)