31 October 2014 - UNMISS today extracted 30 civilians from the Rubkona airstrip in Unity State and brought them to the Protection of Civilians site at the mission’s base in the state capital Bentiu.

The move followed a renewed outbreak of violence in Bentiu and Rubkona, another town in the state.

In a statement issued yesterday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned the resumption of hostilities between the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) and opposition forces.

“This resumption of hostilities is yet again a serious violation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and undermines the ongoing IGAD efforts to find a political solution to the conflict in South Sudan,” said a spokesperson for Mr. Ban in New York.

“The Secretary-General calls upon President Salva Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar to cease immediately all military operations and reminds them of their obligation to protect civilians and respect international humanitarian law,” the statement added.

The UN Chief reminded all parties of the inviolability of all UN premises, including UNMISS Protection of Civilians sites.

The mission is currently protecting some 100,000 displaced civilians at its bases country-wide, including almost 49,000 of them in Bentiu.

“The Secretary-General also urges both parties to participate constructively in the on-going political negotiations in Addis Ababa and reach urgently an agreement on inclusive and comprehensive transitional arrangements,” said the statement.