5 November 2014 - Members of the UN Security Council today expressed their alarm and outrage at the resumption of hostilities between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army and opposition forces in Unity and Upper Nile states in the recent days.

“The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms these acts that resulted in the death and injury of civilians, violated cessation of hostilities agreements, and demonstrated an absence of commitment by both sides to peace and the political process,” said the statement issued by Council President Gary Quinlan (Australia).

The statement followed a video-conference briefing on 4 November by UNMISS chief Ellen Loej and Force Commander Lt. Gen. Yohannes Gebremeskel Tesfamariam on the situation in the country.

The 15-member council underscored their grave concern that fighting took place next to the UNMISS camp in the Unity State capital Bentiu, which is sheltering more than 49,000 internally displaced people.

“They further underlined that these new hostilities are magnifying an already serious humanitarian crisis which has displaced a total of more than 1.8 million South Sudanese,” the statement added.

Demanding an immediate end to all violence, the Security Council also reiterated its demand to end human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law.

“They confirmed their intention to commence negotiations, in consultation with relevant partners including the Inter-government Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Union on all appropriate measures, including targeted sanctions against those impeding the peace process,” the statement said.

Council members called on the South Sudanese government to take steps to ensure the safety of all civilians, swiftly investigate these incidents, and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The Council also welcomed the next IGAD summit scheduled for 6 November to press President Salva Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar to urgently reach agreement on inclusive and comprehensive arrangements for a Transitional Government of National Unity and called upon the parties to engage fully in peace talks.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their steadfast support for UNMISS and its role in protecting civilians, human rights monitoring and investigations, facilitating humanitarian assistance and supporting monitoring of the cessation of hostilities agreement.

Condemning recent detentions of three UNMISS personnel and kidnappings of two UN-affiliated personnel, Council members demanded their immediate and safe release and called on the government to swiftly investigate the incidents and ensure that justice is served.