Security Council Press Statement on South Sudan

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Mark Lyall Grant ( United Kingdom):

On 6 August, the United Nations Security Council was briefed by Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Edmond Mulet on the situation in South Sudan and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

The members of the Security Council expressed their outrage at the recent attacks by armed groups in South Sudan that have purposefully targeted civilians and humanitarian personnel, in particular following clashes between a community-based self-defence militia calling itself the Mabanese Defence Forces and deserting Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) soldiers, which commenced on 3 August in Maban County in Upper Nile State, and resulted in the death of at least six humanitarian aid workers and reported systematic targeting of civilians based on their ethnicity.

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms these acts and underscored that attacks on civilians, and humanitarian personnel, may constitute war crimes.  The members of the Security Council extended their condolences to the families and humanitarian organizations of those injured and killed in these attacks.

The members of the Security Council strongly reiterated their demand for an immediate end to all human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law.  They also renewed their call upon the Government of South Sudan to immediately take steps to ensure the safety of all civilians, to swiftly investigate these incidents, and to effectively bring the perpetrators of these heinous acts to justice, and to fully respect international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

The members of the Security Council underscored their full support for UNMISS peacekeepers and welcomed UNMISS deployment to Maban County to serve as protection for United Nations and humanitarian personnel and the civilians now seeking safety and refuge at the compounds of United Nations agencies.

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For information media • not an official record