Media Home
UN Web TV
UN Audiovisual Library
UN PhotoUN / SOUTH SUDAN UPDATE
Download
There is no media available to download.
Share
STORY: UN / SOUTH SUDAN UPDATE
TRT: 2.07
SOURCE: UNTV
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 18 DECEMBER 2013, NEW YORK CITY
FILE – RECENT, NEW YORK CITY
1. Wide shot, exterior United Nations headquarters
18 DECEMBER 2013, NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK CITY
2. Wide shot, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon walks up to the stakeout position
3. Close up, camera
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:
“This is a political, and urgently needs to be dealt with through political dialogue. There is a risk of this violence spreading to other States, and we have already seen some signs of this. It is essential to protect the human rights of all those who are detained. Mandated human rights monitors must have full access to visit the detainees. Security forces must operate in full compliance with international humanitarian law.”
5. Close up, reporter’s notepad
6. Wide shot, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon walks away from the stakeout position
7. Close up, camera
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Gérard Araud, Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations:
“The situation is not clear. It is in flux. The information we have received is infighting between soldiers of the South Sudanese Army of the SPLA. Fighgting which apparently is largely on ethnic lines between Dinka, which is faithful to the president and Nuer, faithful to the former vice-president”.
9. Close up, reporter typing laptop
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Gérard Araud, Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations:
“The figures are quite high. I guess is something like 15,000 or 20,000 civilians taking refuge, which actually is quite trying for the capabilities and the means of UNMISS in terms of medical supports, food, water and protection”.
11. Close up, journalist typing mobile phone
12. Med shot, French ambassador Gérard Araud walks away from stakeout position.
Speaking to the press today (18 December) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed his deep concern about the current situation in South Sudan.
Ban said that the UN Mission (UNMISS) in the African country has received reports of many people being killed and injured; and added that these reports are being verified.
He stressed that yesterday morning (17 December) he spoke to President Salva Kiir and urged him to do everything possible he can to end violence and to ensure respect for human rights and rule of law.
The Secretary-General also impressed on President Kiir the need to resume dialogue with the political opposition and welcomed the reports this morning (18 December) that the President is willing to enter into such talks.
He said “this is a political, and urgently needs to be dealt with through political dialogue. There is a risk of this violence spreading to other States, and we have already seen some signs of this. It is essential to protect the human rights of all those who are detained. Mandated human rights monitors must have full access to visit the detainees. Security forces must operate in full compliance with international humanitarian law.”
Finally, the Secretary-General said that he called on the Government to cooperate fully with UNMISS as it fulfils its protection mandate, including in the provision of basic relief to civilians in need.
In a statement issued to the press last night, the members of the Security Council voiced “serious concern” over the fighting that began on December 15 in the city of Juba, and other areas, in South Sudan.
Speaking to the press on Tuesday evening, the president of the Security Council, French ambassador Gerard Araud said that “the situation is not clear. It is in flux. The information we have received is infighting between soldiers of the South Sudanese Army of the SPLA. Fighgting which apparently is largely on ethnic lines between Dinka, which is faithful to the president and Nuer, faithful to the former vice-president”.
He added that president Kiir of South Sudan had declared on a TV message to the Sudanese people that it was an “attempt coup” conducted by soldiers linked to the former vice-president.
Araud stressed that thousands of civilians have taken refuge in the two bases of the UN Mission (UNMISS) in Juba.
The French ambassador said “the figures are quite high. I guess is something like 15,000 or 20,000 civilians taking refuge, which actually is quite trying for the capabilities and the means of UNMISS in terms of medical supports, food, water and protection”.
Media reports say that between 400 and 500 people had been killed and up to 800 wounded in the latest violence.
In a press statement, the members of the Security Council called for the Government of South Sudan to engage in dialogue with its opponents and to resolve differences peacefully in order to prevent any spread of the current violence.
They also underscored the vital importance of protection of civilians, regardless of their communities of origin, and called for all authorities to respect the rule of law and human rights.
The Mission has been on the ground since July 2011, when South Sudan became independent from neighbouring Sudan, to consolidate peace security and to help establish conditions for development.
