Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the Secretary General and Head of UN Mission in South Sudan addresses a press conference in Juba on Wednesday, 28th Sept 2022. Credit: Lou Nelson/Eye Radio

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan said it welcomes the deployment of government forces to protect civilians in the troubled Kajo-Keji County after last week’s deadly inter-communal violence.

On Thursday February 2, at least 27 people were killed in what was believed to be a reprisal attack in Kajo-Keji County.

The attack reportedly displaced at least 2,000 people including 30 unaccompanied children.

In a statement on Monday, UNMISS said the violence is unacceptable and contrary to the recent ecumenical peace pilgrimage, which called for peace and reconciliation.

The Mission however welcomes the government’s deployment of troops to the area to quell tensions and protect internally displaced persons.

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General Nicholas Haysom called on the authorities to launch an investigation and hold perpetrators to account.

“UNMISS is gravely concerned about the resurgence of killings and violence stemming from long-standing tensions between cattle keepers and host communities in Central Equatoria State and in other parts of the country. We urge South Sudanese leaders to encourage restraint and avoid fueling any conflict,” Haysom said.

According to the mission, at least 45 unarmed civilians have been killed in escalating violence in Kajo-Keji and Mangalla Payam, in the past two weeks.

UNMISS further said it is increasing patrols to the affected areas and engaging the authorities to bring an end to hostilities and seek peaceful solutions.