The United Nations Mission in South Sudan has reacted swiftly to give citizens of the Bahar Olo area in Western Equatoria State a renewed sense of security following a recent attack on military barracks by unknown armed men.

The sudden violence resulted in buildings set ablaze, hundreds of scared civilians being displaced to surrounding bushes and a soldier, a police officer and a 12-year-old girl being killed.

“We thank the peacekeepers for coming to see us at this critical time when civilians have felt forced to flee from their homes. Some of them are still afraid and are yet to return, but if people know that UNMISS soldiers are here they will not be displaced again” said Bismark Baloko, chief of the Bahar Olo district, who urged the government to gather all parties for a dialogue that could lead to sustainable peace in the area.

The commander of the South Sudanese People’s Defense Force in Bahar Olo, Captain Samuel Tut, condemned the attack on his troops and stressed that the government army has signed the revitalized peace agreement.

“We have come to this area to protect civilians. We have never attacked anyone, and I don’t understand why anyone would attack our positions when there is supposed to be peace,” said Captain Tut, who requested the government to send much-needed food and non-food items to replace everything that was destroyed during the attack.

Anthony Moudie, leading the peacekeeping mission’s team on its regular patrol to Maridi, Mundri, Jambo, Bangolo and other communities in the greater Mundri area, promised to do everything possible to protect civilian citizens affected by the recent insecurity.

“We are advocating for the protection of these people. We are told that many people have fled their homes, and we will stop in different places to assess how many and where they are, and what their needs are,” Mr. Moudie said, adding that the patrol team will also monitor the progress of the implementation of a few UNMISS-funded quick impact projects in the area.