S. Sudan denies blocking UN mission from accessing troubled region

The United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has claimed that the South Sudan army has prevented it from conducting patrols to rescue people who recently fled clashes near Malakal town located along the White Nile.

UNMISS has estimated that approximately thirty thousand civilians have been displaced after violent clashes were reported in Malakal, the second largest city, between the government forces and rebel groups.

The UN mission intends to reach the upper Nile, one of the most affected provinces in South Sudan to assess the humanitarian conditions.

On the other hand, the South Sudan government operatives have denied such allegations.

Political rivalry between South Sudan President Salva Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, and his former deputy Riek Machar, a Nuer, led to civil war in 2013 that has often followed ethnic lines.

The two signed a shaky peace deal in 2015, but fighting has continued. Machar fled in July 2016 and is now in South Africa.

#UNMISS Head concludes 2-day visit to #Malakal, reiterates UN’s commitment to support #SouthSudan government in the peace process. pic.twitter.com/leARQawUqs

— Radio Miraya (@RadioMiraya) February 16, 2017