Toby Lanzer, UN Humanitarian Coordinator.

The UN Mission in South Sudan believes that over 9,000 people have sought refuge at its base in Bentiu after clashes between the SPLA and anti-government forces erupted this morning.

This morning, the SPLA spokesperson, Colonel Philip Aguer, confirmed to Eye Radio that fighting was ongoing between the two forces.

The UN Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Toby Lanzer, told the press this that thousands of civilians have been displaced by the clashes.

Mr. Lanzer said he is outraged that civilians are being subjected to another suffering in Bentiu.

“I feel a sense of outrage because I have spent a good part of this night and a lot of this morning dealing with the immediate consequences of violence in Bentiu, in Unity state, where violence is ongoing inside the city,” he said.

“I’m outraged that there are hundreds of women and children trying to stay safe in the hospital there, I am outraged that there are hundreds of people trying to reach the safety of the UN base in Bentiu.”

Mr. Lanzer called on the government and the SPLM-in Opposition to immediately cease hostilities in order for the civilians to resume their normal lives as the rainy season approaches.

Toby Lanzer, who is also the UN humanitarian coordinator for South Sudan, said about 7million people are at risk of famine in the coming months, if the fighting doesn’t stop.

He said the prolonged conflict means South Sudan will continue to lose its developmental projects.