US condemns attack on UN base in South Sudan

Washington : The United States has strongly condemned the attack on a UN base in South Sudan by a mob of armed civilians in which 15 people were killed. [caption id=“attachment_1485831” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational Image. Agencies.[/caption] The assailants yesterday attacked the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) compound in Bor in Jonglei state where some 5,000 ethnic Nuers have sought safety since fighting in South Sudan broke out in mid-December. “We reiterate our call upon the Government of South Sudan to end the violence and to fulfill its primary responsibility to maintain law and order and provide full support for the UNMISS mission to protect civilians,” State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf said. She said the US condemns recent attacks and counter-attacks in the town of Bentiu by anti-government and pro-government forces in violation of the January 23 Cessation of Hostilities (CoH) agreement. The deliberate targeting of civilians during these attacks is unacceptable and those responsible for such acts must be held accountable, she added. PTI