UN fears more fighting in South Sudan

           

UN peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous warned Wednesday that more fighting could break out in South Sudan despite a two-day ceasefire that followed a major flareup of violence in Juba.
At least 272 people have been killed during three days of fighting in the capital but Ladsous said the death toll was “only the tip of the iceberg” because many civilians were prevented from reaching safe ground.
“We remain very worried about the potential for the resumption of violence and spillover into other parts of the country, as we have seen in the past,” he told the Security Council.

At least 42,000 people have fled their homes in the latest flareup, with 7,000 sheltering in UN peacekeeping bases, while aid groups and churches in the city have taken in 35,000 people.
The United Nations is considering an emergency request from East African leaders to send an intervention brigade to Juba that could secure the airport and separate the warring sides.
Government troops appear to be in full control of Juba but opposition forces remain around the west of the city and “further clashes cannot be ruled out,” Ladsous said.
Both army and rebel forces are mobilizing around parts of Malakal in Upper Nile region and Leer in Unity state, fuelling worries of fighting there, he added.Details.....