South Sudanese diplomat expresses his condolences over peacekeepers killings

A South Sudanese diplomat in Kenya has expressed his condolences over the killings of UN peacekeepers in renewed fighting by former rebels and government soldiers in the young nation.

The fighting which began on Thursday left two Chinese peacekeepers and a Rwandan peacekeeper dead after they were attacked in the country’s capital, Juba.

Jimmy Deng, charge d’affaires of South Sudan’s embassy in Kenya said, “First of all, on behalf of the government, we want to regret for the event that led to the death of the Chinese peacekeepers as well as the Rwandese peacekeeper. Our heartfelt condolences go to their family and to their countries, and we want to say that China is a strategic partner to South Sudan. And such incidence is regrettable and indeed we regret for what happened.”

Following the fighting that has left hundreds dead and tens of thousands displaced, a ceasefire ordered by both sides in the clashes is reported to be holding.

On Monday evening President Salva Kiir ordered a ceasefire and his Vice President Riek Machar followed suit.

Reuters