Zuma worried over killings in S/Sudan

The Chairperson, African Union Commission , Dr Dlamini Zuma, on Wednesday in Addis Ababa expressed concern on the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in South Sudan.

Zuma in a statement condemned what she described as “a deliberate and criminal attack on civilians in Bentiu, Unity State, on April 15”.

She said over 200 civilians were reported killed and more than 400 wounded, while sheltering in a Mosque.

“This dastardly act was followed by another attack on civilians who were under the protection of peacekeepers in the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) camp in Bor, Jonglei State, on April 17, 2014, during which over 40 people were killed and many others were wounded.’’

Zuma said the tragedy came amidst efforts by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to facilitate the implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement signed by the South Sudan Government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army, on Jan. 23.

The Chairperson reminded both the government and the SPLM/A of their responsibility to fully abide by the agreements they signed.

“Their obligation regarding the protection of all civilians, include those who are under the protection of the UN.”

She urged the parties to fully cooperate with the IGAD-led Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (MVM), in order to investigate these attacks and bring their perpetrators to justice.

Zuma also urged parties to the conflict to seriously engage in the upcoming political negotiations to resolve the dispute.

She urged the two parties to also cooperate with IGAD  to facilitate early deployment of the Monitoring and Verification Teams (MVTs), to avoid recurrence of the tragedies.

The commission’s chairperson reiterated AU’s support to IGAD in finding lasting solution to the conflict. (NAN)