This archive report was first published on 3 December 2019.
On December 3, 2019, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) deployed peacekeepers to the northern Lakes region, central South Sudan, to deter violence between rival communities.
According to UNMISS, 75 Nepalese troops were temporarily re-deployed from Rumbek to Maper, where 79 people had reportedly been killed and over 100 injured during renewed inter-communal clashes and revenge attacks between the Gak and Manuer communities.
David Shearer, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and UNMISS head, urged an end to the violence, saying, "This fighting must stop."
While political violence had largely subsided in the country since a peace agreement was signed in September 2018, inter-communal clashes continued to result in the killing and injuring of civilians, cattle raiding, and the looting of property.
UNMISS dispatched senior officials to the area to meet local authorities and convince the leaders of the warring factions to embrace dialogue.
Shearer added, "We are urging the communities involved and their leaders to put an end to the violence and to come together in reconciliation and peace for the good of their people."
