The spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday said the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is concerned over threats of large-scale military operations in Jonglei State that could put hundreds of thousands of civilians at risk.
Stéphane Dujarric, while briefing the media in New York, revealed that the mission also warns that escalating hate speech is fueling ethnic tensions and risks drawing civilian communities into the conflict.
“The Peacekeeping mission (UNMISS) is urging all parties to cease hostilities and refrain from threats or actions that fuel fear, that fuel hatred, and fuel violence,” he said. “The mission is calling on all parties to protect the safety and to protect the freedom of movement of all UN personnel, and reminds all parties of the inviolability of all UN premises as well as our assets.”
“That includes bases in Jonglei, where peacekeepers are doing their utmost to support impacted communities in extremely challenging conditions,” Dujarric added.
He said the mission continues to support conflict-prevention and the peace process as an impartial partner, and it is critical that these efforts are not undermined by disinformation or any hostile actions.