The United Nations Mission in South Sudan or UNMISS strongly condemns the recent fighting after two mortar bombs landed within its compound in Melut on Tuesday evening, killing four civilians including a woman and a child and injured eight others.
UNMISS head Ellen Margrethe Loj in a statement on Wednesday reminds the parties of their obligation to take all measures not to harm civilians and guarantee the safety of international aid organizations and UN personnel and assets.
She calls upon them to respect the sanctity of UN installations and staff so that UNMISS can continue to implement its activities and protect civilians.
Ms Margrethe calls on the Government and Opposition leadership to immediately cease all hostilities and resume negotiations to sign a comprehensive peace agreement.
The UNMISS chief says until the outbreak of the recent fighting, UNMISS was protecting almost one thousand civilians in Melut, 270 IDPs arrived on Tuesday and between 250 and 350 are currently staying in an area adjacent to the compound.