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'Atmosphere of fear' in South Sudan town of Bor, says UN | 'Atmosphere of fear' in South Sudan town of Bor, says UN |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A UN official in South Sudan has spoken of an atmosphere of fear and desperation as violence escalates. | A UN official in South Sudan has spoken of an atmosphere of fear and desperation as violence escalates. |
Humanitarian Co-ordinator Toby Lanzer told the BBC about summary executions in Bor, in the restive state of Jonglei that has fallen to rebels. | Humanitarian Co-ordinator Toby Lanzer told the BBC about summary executions in Bor, in the restive state of Jonglei that has fallen to rebels. |
The UN mission in South Sudan has urged rival political leaders to agree a truce and open negotiations. | |
Clashes broke out between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and others backing his former deputy a week ago. | Clashes broke out between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and others backing his former deputy a week ago. |
Meanwhile the US said it had evacuated its citizens from Bor. | Meanwhile the US said it had evacuated its citizens from Bor. |
Four US service personnel were wounded on Saturday when their aircraft were shot at, delaying an evacuation operation and prompting US President Barack Obama to consider further action. | Four US service personnel were wounded on Saturday when their aircraft were shot at, delaying an evacuation operation and prompting US President Barack Obama to consider further action. |
"As I monitor the situation in South Sudan, I may take further action to support the security of US citizens, personnel and property, including our embassy, in South Sudan," he said in a letter to Congress leaders on Sunday. | "As I monitor the situation in South Sudan, I may take further action to support the security of US citizens, personnel and property, including our embassy, in South Sudan," he said in a letter to Congress leaders on Sunday. |
Earlier the South Sudanese army confirmed that Bentiu, the capital of oil-rich Unity State, had also fallen to troops supporting former Vice-President Riek Machar. | Earlier the South Sudanese army confirmed that Bentiu, the capital of oil-rich Unity State, had also fallen to troops supporting former Vice-President Riek Machar. |
"Bentiu is not in our hands," said military spokesman Philip Aguer. | "Bentiu is not in our hands," said military spokesman Philip Aguer. |
President Salva Kiir has accused Mr Machar of attempting a coup. | President Salva Kiir has accused Mr Machar of attempting a coup. |
'Hundreds of thousands' | 'Hundreds of thousands' |
Mr Lanzer, who spent several days in Bor, said the problem of people seeking refuge was growing daily. | Mr Lanzer, who spent several days in Bor, said the problem of people seeking refuge was growing daily. |
"I'm quite concerned that in a few days' time we won't be talking about tens of thousands, we'll be talking about hundreds of thousands directly affected," he said. | "I'm quite concerned that in a few days' time we won't be talking about tens of thousands, we'll be talking about hundreds of thousands directly affected," he said. |
"It's really very moving to see people just asking: 'Can you please keep me alive?'" | "It's really very moving to see people just asking: 'Can you please keep me alive?'" |
Mr Lanzer added that there was a danger not just from fighting by conventional armies but from groups of youths who he said were simply "out of control". | Mr Lanzer added that there was a danger not just from fighting by conventional armies but from groups of youths who he said were simply "out of control". |
The government says it is trying to retake Bor, and the state has seen fierce fighting in recent days. | The government says it is trying to retake Bor, and the state has seen fierce fighting in recent days. |
Two Indian peacekeepers and at least 11 civilians were killed in an attack on a UN compound in Akobo, Jonglei, on Thursday. | Two Indian peacekeepers and at least 11 civilians were killed in an attack on a UN compound in Akobo, Jonglei, on Thursday. |
Joseph Contreras, acting UN spokesperson in Juba, told the BBC he had two messages for South Sudan's political leaders. | |
"One is to call upon all the political leaders to desist from further violence, to heed the African Union call to observe a holiday season truce, open a channel of dialogue and sit down to negotiate their differences peacefully. | |
"Our other message is that we here at the United Nations are here to stay." | |
UN relocation | UN relocation |
On Saturday Mr Machar said his forces controlled Unity State - whose oilfields are crucial to South Sudan's economy. | On Saturday Mr Machar said his forces controlled Unity State - whose oilfields are crucial to South Sudan's economy. |
Those reports could not be independently confirmed. | Those reports could not be independently confirmed. |
However, on Sunday Col Aguer told reporters: "Bentiu is in the hands of a commander who has declared support for Machar." | However, on Sunday Col Aguer told reporters: "Bentiu is in the hands of a commander who has declared support for Machar." |
He added that the number of people or wounded in the fighting was unclear. | He added that the number of people or wounded in the fighting was unclear. |
Unity, a state on the border with Sudan, produces much of South Sudan's oil, which accounts for more than 95% of the country's economy. | Unity, a state on the border with Sudan, produces much of South Sudan's oil, which accounts for more than 95% of the country's economy. |
Also on Sunday, the UN mission Unmiss said it had begun relocating staff from the capital Juba to the Ugandan city of Entebbe. | Also on Sunday, the UN mission Unmiss said it had begun relocating staff from the capital Juba to the Ugandan city of Entebbe. |
Juba has been tense since the unrest began last weekend. | Juba has been tense since the unrest began last weekend. |
Resident Mogga Lado told the BBC: "I was buying some things for my children in the market on Tuesday when I saw two people dressed in normal civilian clothes shot dead in front of me by people in military clothing. | Resident Mogga Lado told the BBC: "I was buying some things for my children in the market on Tuesday when I saw two people dressed in normal civilian clothes shot dead in front of me by people in military clothing. |
"I don't know if they were the army or rebels. I didn't wait to see." | "I don't know if they were the army or rebels. I didn't wait to see." |
Mr Machar told the BBC on Saturday that he was prepared to negotiate with the government if politicians arrested this week were released and transferred to a neutral country such as Ethiopia. | Mr Machar told the BBC on Saturday that he was prepared to negotiate with the government if politicians arrested this week were released and transferred to a neutral country such as Ethiopia. |
Mr Kiir also agreed to negotiations after meeting African mediators on Friday. | Mr Kiir also agreed to negotiations after meeting African mediators on Friday. |
President Kiir, a member of the majority Dinka ethnic group, sacked Mr Machar, who is from the Nuer community, in July. | President Kiir, a member of the majority Dinka ethnic group, sacked Mr Machar, who is from the Nuer community, in July. |
The violence which broke out in Juba last weekend has since spread, pitting gangs of Nuer and Dinka against each other. | The violence which broke out in Juba last weekend has since spread, pitting gangs of Nuer and Dinka against each other. |
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said on Sunday that he was "very concerned at the situation in South Sudan". | UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said on Sunday that he was "very concerned at the situation in South Sudan". |
He added that it was "vital that all leaders urge restraint on their supporters and commit to a political resolution of their differences". | He added that it was "vital that all leaders urge restraint on their supporters and commit to a political resolution of their differences". |