Fighting In Bentiu Leaves Dozens Dead, Others Seriously Injured

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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There was heavy fighting between the two warring parties until this Thursday.  The fighting started on Monday and scores of people have been reportedly killed according to the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) press release.

The statement said that, after a patrol by the United Nations peace keepers on Wednesday in Bentiu capital, the keepers witnessed dozens of people killed and laying on ground mainly in army uniforms. 

“On Tuesday the UNMISS team also saw between 35 and 40 dead bodies along the road side with the majority of the corpses dressed in military uniforms,” said the statement. 

On Monday, fighting broke in Bentiu, the second largest oil producing capital in the new nation. 

The clash came after rebels loyal to former vice President Dr. Riek Machar was reportedly launched fresh attack to flash out the government troops. 

Government had so far already admitted the rebels are in full control of Bentiu. UNMISS in its latest statement also confirmed that the town is under the control of the rebels. 

The fighting between the two forces is the latest and worst of its kind after the government troops last month flashed the rebels out of Malakal, the leading oil producing capital in the country. 

The rebels have given staff of oil operating companies, ultimatum to leave the oil areas including the Upper Nile State according to local media.

Oil has remained the South Sudan’s leading revenue earner. Government had earlier said that, it provides over 90% of the annual revenue collections. 

The latest clash between the South Sudan army and the rebels aggravates the violation of Cessation of Hostilities stroke by both parties in January early this year following the mediation of peace talks by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). 

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has called on the two parties to respect the agreement in an effort to avoid more bloodshed and worsening of the humanitarian conditions in the country.

It also warned that further fighting threatens lives of many ordinary citizens in the country. UNMISS had condemned the clashes as it undermines peace processes in the fledgling nation.    

“Continued fighting will only exacerbate an already dire situation for the civilian population,” said the statement released. 

“It is imperative that both parties fully comply with the cessation of hostilities agreement that they signed under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and fully corporate with the IGAD monitoring and verification team,” added the statement.

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