Source: United Nations (video statements)
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is alarmed by surging violence in Abiemnom, Ruweng Administrative Area, in the past 48 hours.
According to UNMISS, a group of armed youth stormed the Abiemnom county headquarters on Sunday morning, wounding at least 23 people. As tensions spiralled, peacekeepers opened their gates and are now sheltering more than 1,000 civilians inside their base, while providing emergency medical care for the injured.
The Mission is gravely concerned by reports that dozens of civilians, along with local officials, may have been killed in the clashes. We call on all parties to halt the violence immediately and resolve this through dialogue. Meanwhile, peacekeepers remain on the ground, doing everything within their mandate to try to protect those who are seeking refuge.