SOUTH SUDAN / FALLEN PEACEKEEPERS

Two UNMISS Indian Battalion troops were killed and one injured when their base was attacked in the Jonglei Jonglei state town ofAkobo. UNMISS estimates that at least 11 of the civilians who sought refuge inside the base were also killed during the attack. UNMISS

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:03:46
• Production Date: 20 December 2013
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS MISSION IN SOUTH SUDAN – UNMISS
• Subject Topical: POLITICAL CONDITIONS; POLITICAL MOVEMENTS; PEACE AND SECURITY
• Geographic Subject: SOUTH SUDAN
• MAMS Id: U131220a

Description

STORY: SOUTH SUDAN / INDIAN PEACEKEEPERS
TRT: 3:46
SOURCE: UNMISS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH/NATS

DATELINE: 20 DECEMBER, 2013, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN

Shotlist

1. Wide, UN Plane landing
2. Wide, Indian Soldiers waiting
3. Wide, UN Plane taxiing
4. Wide, truck carrying bodies
5. Med shot, truck coming through gate
6. Wide, truck pulling up to morgue
7. Wide, soldiers and coffins
8. Close, coffins
9. Med shot, Soldiers offloading coffin and carrying it.
10. Med shot, back of soldiers depositing coffin in freezer.
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Joseph Contreras Acting Spokesperson UNMISS:
“The remains of the deceased Indian Peacekeepers were also airlifted to Malakal. They arrived a short time ago in the afternoon here in Juba, and a Memorial Service will be held on Saturday Morning here at the UNMISS Compound here in Juba next to the International Airport. After that the remains will be flown back to India for their final resting place.”
12. Wide shot, coffin in freezer
13. Close up, Indian flag
14. Wide shot, soldiers carrying second coffin from the truck
15. Med shot, soldiers carrying coffin
16. Pan, Soldiers holding coffin
17. SOUNDBITE (English) Joseph Contreras – Acting Spokesperson UNMISS:
“At approximately 4pm Thursday Afternoon a large group of assailants surrounded our compound in the Jonglei State town of Akobo. They opened fire on an estimated 30 civilians who had sought shelter inside that facility and two Indian Peacekeepers died from wounds sustained during the fire. A third Indian Peacekeeper for UNMISS suffered a chest wound. He received medical attention Yesterday evening in Akobo and he was airlifted along with survivors of the attack to the Upper Nile State Capital of Malakal this morning. He’s in a stable condition. He’s arrived in Juba this afternoon and will be flying out to his native country of India this weekend.”
18. Med shot, soldiers carrying second coffin
19. Med shot, soldiers depositing coffin into a room
20. Still photo, wounded Indian Peacekeeper being carried on stretcher
21. Still photo, survivor being taken out of helicopter
22. Still photo, Indian Peacekeeper with facial wound

Storyline

Unknown assailants attacked a United Nations base in South Sudan Thursday 19 December, 2013, killing two Indian peacekeepers and the estimated 30 civilians who had sought refuge in the Compound. Since Sunday, violent clashes between Government forces and rebels has resulted in the number of people fleeing to UN installations now reaching 35,000 to 40,000 all over South Sudan.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was “appalled” to learn of the attack on the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) base in Akobo and demanded that Government and opposition forces respect the rights of civilians and ensure their safety and security.

At the time, 43 Indian peacekeepers, six UN police advisers and two UN civilian staffers were present at the base. About 30 South Sudanese had sought shelter from the turmoil plaguing areas of Akobo County, the Mission said in a statement.

According to media reports, President Salva Kiir’s Government said soldiers loyal to former deputy president Riek Machar, dismissed in July, launched an attempted coup. Hundreds of people have been killed since then, according to reports.

In a statement strongly condemning the attack, UNMISS said it is doing everything possible to ascertain the circumstances on the Akobo base and secure the safety of its personnel who remain there. Aircraft were dispatched early Friday to Akobo to evacuate the deceased Peacekeepers, the injured and assess the situation. UNMISS Acting Spokesperson, Joseph Contreras spoke to this.

SOUNDBITE (English) Joseph Contreras, Acting Spokesperson UNMISS:
“At approximately 4pm Thursday Afternoon a large group of assailants surrounded our compound in the Jonglei State town of Akobo. They opened fire on an estimated 30 civilians who had sought shelter inside that facility and two Indian Peacekeepers died from wounds sustained during the fire. A third Indian Peacekeeper for UNMISS suffered a chest wound. He received medical attention Yesterday evening in Akobo and he was airlifted along with survivors of the attack to the Upper Nile State Capital of Malakal this morning. He’s in a stable condition. He’s arrived in Juba this afternoon and will be flying out to his native country of India this weekend.”

This is the second time that Indian Peacekeepers have given their lives in carrying out the Mandate of UNMISS which is to Protect Civilians. Five Indian Peacekeepers died last year April in an Ambush in Jonglei State as well. The Indian Battalions are stationed predominantly in that area.”

SOUNDBITE (English) Joseph Contreras, Acting Spokesperson, UNMISS:
“The Remains of the deceased Indian Peacekeepers were also airlifted to Malakal. They arrived a short time ago in the afternoon here in Juba, and a Memorial Service will be held on Saturday Morning here at the UNMISS Compound here in Juba next to the International Airport. After that the remains will be flown back to India for their final resting place.”

Fighting still continues in the Jonglei State Area between Government Forces and the Rebel groups. This has caused some 15,000 civilians to seek shelter in the UNMISS Compound in Bor the Capital of the State which is now under Rebel Control.

The Indian Battalian will once again hold a Memorial Service to commemorate the lives of these valiant soldiers.

ENDS