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South Sudan conflict: Deadly attack on UN base condemned South Sudan crisis: Deadly attack on UN base condemned
(about 4 hours later)
The UN mission to South Sudan has condemned Thursday's attack on its base in which two Indian peacekeepers and at least 11 civilians were killed.The UN mission to South Sudan has condemned Thursday's attack on its base in which two Indian peacekeepers and at least 11 civilians were killed.
The Unmiss said the perpetrators of the "heinous crime" in Akobo, Jonglei state, must be brought to justice. Unmiss said the perpetrators of the "heinous crime" in Akobo, Jonglei state, must be brought to justice.
This comes as African mediators said they had had "productive" talks with South Sudan's President Salva Kiir to try to stop days of clashes spreading. A similar attack is feared at another UN base where several thousand armed youths are reported to have gathered.
The clashes began when Mr Kiir accused his ex-deputy of a failed coup. Clashes began in South Sudan when President Salva Kiir accused his ex-deputy of a failed coup a week ago.
At least 500 people are believed to have died since last weekend.At least 500 people are believed to have died since last weekend.
An estimated 34,000 people have taken refuge at UN compounds.An estimated 34,000 people have taken refuge at UN compounds.
The unrest has pitted gangs from the Nuer ethnic group of Mr Machar against Dinkas - the majority group to which Mr Kiir belongs. The unrest has pitted gangs from the Nuer ethnic group of former Vice President Riek Machar against Dinkas - the majority group to which Mr Kiir belongs.
A number of countries have begun evacuating their nationals. Britain was sending another flight on Friday, a day after a military transport plane evacuated 182 people, including 53 Britons, to Uganda.A number of countries have begun evacuating their nationals. Britain was sending another flight on Friday, a day after a military transport plane evacuated 182 people, including 53 Britons, to Uganda.
Uganda has sent a small contingent of troops to help pull out its nationals.Uganda has sent a small contingent of troops to help pull out its nationals.
A US plane was also due to take Americans out of the country. And China's National Petroleum Company was evacuating oil workers to Juba.A US plane was also due to take Americans out of the country. And China's National Petroleum Company was evacuating oil workers to Juba.
'Unjustified' attack'Unjustified' attack
In a statement of Friday, the Unmiss condemned "in the strongest possible terms the unprovoked attack on its base" in Akobo. France's ambassador to the UN, Gerard Araud, said there were fears of another assault as armed youths gathered near the UN compound in the town of Bor, in Jonglei, on Friday.
It said the two Indian peacekeepers were killed and one injured when some 2,000 armed youths believed to be of Nuer ethnicity surrounded the base and opened fire "in the direction of Sudanese civilians of Dinka ethnic group who had sought refuge in the compound". The base shelters some 14,000 civilians.
The Unmiss said it at least 11 South Sudanese civilians also died. It had earlier put the death toll at 20. Earlier, Unmiss said two Indian peacekeepers were killed on and one injured on Thursday when some 2,000 armed youths believed to be of Nuer ethnicity surrounded the base in Akobo and opened fire "in the direction of Sudanese civilians of the Dinka ethnic group who had sought refuge in the compound".
"I deplore this unjustified and unwarranted attack. It is a criminal act for which the responsible must be held accountable," said Hilde Johnson, the special representative to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Unmiss said at least 11 South Sudanese civilians also died. It had earlier put the death toll at 20.
"Such attacks will not deter us from continuing to discharge our mandate." Unmiss said all its personnel - along with civilians and members of non-governmental organisations - had now been airlifted from the base.
The Unmiss said all its personnel - along with civilians and members of non-governmental organisation - had now been airlifted from the base. A memorial service will be held on Saturday in an Unmiss compound at the airport in the capital Juba.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday in an Unmiss compound at the airport in the capital Juba..
It is one of several areas where clashes have occurred.It is one of several areas where clashes have occurred.
'Awash with weapons''Awash with weapons'
Also on Friday, African mediators held talks with President Kiir to try to stop fighting. Also on Friday, President Kiir told African mediators he agreed to "unconditional dialogue" to stop the violence.
The meeting involved foreign ministers from five regional countries - Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda. He made the commitment during a meeting with foreign ministers from Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda.
"We had a very productive meeting with His Excellency President Salva Kiir and we will continue consultations," Ethiopian Foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom told reporters in capital Juba afterwards. President Kiir has blamed the violence on soldiers who support Mr Machar. Mr Machar, who was sacked by Mr Kiir in July, has denied trying to stage a coup. His whereabouts remain unknown.
President Kiir has blamed the violence on soldiers who support Mr Machar. Mr Machar, who was sacked by Mr Kiir in July, has denied trying to stage a coup. Jonglei state has witnessed some of the worst violence since South Sudan became independent in 2011, with hundreds killed in periodic clashes between rival heavily-armed ethnic militias sparked by cattle-rustling.
Mr Kiir has said he is ready to have talks with his rival to end the fighting. There has been no word from Mr Machar, whose whereabouts are unknown.
Jonglei state has witnessed some of the worst violence since South Sudan became independent, with hundreds killed in clashes between rival heavily-armed ethnic militias sparked by cattle-rustling.
Following decades of conflict, weapons - such as machine guns - are widely available in much of South Sudan.Following decades of conflict, weapons - such as machine guns - are widely available in much of South Sudan.
Forces commanded by Gen Peter Gadet, who is loyal to Mr Machar, are said to be in control of the town of Bor - the capital of the Jonglei state.Forces commanded by Gen Peter Gadet, who is loyal to Mr Machar, are said to be in control of the town of Bor - the capital of the Jonglei state.
Gen Gadet launched his campaign after reports of his fellow Nuers being killed began to come out of Juba. Gen Gadet launched his campaign after reports of his fellow Nuers being killed.
South Sudan's government insists the clashes are over power and politics, not between ethnic groups.South Sudan's government insists the clashes are over power and politics, not between ethnic groups.
The oil-rich country has struggled to achieve a stable government since becoming independent.The oil-rich country has struggled to achieve a stable government since becoming independent.