Violence in South Sudan despite UN appeal, More than 300 dead including 2 Chinese peace keepers

Juba: Renewed violence breaks out in South Sudan, the country that received recognition as an independent country a mere five years ago. The terrible violence that erupted before South Sudan could celebrate its fifth independence day on 9^th July, has claimed more than 300 lives. The dead include 2 Chinese peacekeepers.

Clashes originally broke out due to the conflict between President Salva Kiir and the Vice President Riek Machar. Violence has continued despite the appeal from the UN Security Council, raising fears that it could turn into a civil war.

Breaking out of Sudan in 2011 as an independent nation, South Sudan saw the eruption of renewed conflicts in a mere two years after. The violence that began about the end of 2013 and continued until 2015 claimed more than 50,000 lives. The peace pact of August 2015 did bring calm to the country but renewed conflicts and violence within less than a year of this pact has caused concern.

Violence first broke out on Thursday but there was a lull on Friday after President Kiir and Vice President Machar made a joint appeal for restraint. However, Sunday saw a roll back into renewed rage after Vice President Machar alleged that his residence and his supporters’ camps had been attacked by helicopters and tankers of factions supporting the President.

The UN office and camps have been attacked and violence of the worst kind that continues in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, has claimed the lives of two Chinese peace keepers and left many peace keepers injured. The UN, expressing deep disapproval and regret, has urged both leaders to do everything in their power to stop the violence with immediate effect. The violence that broke out on Thursday has claimed more than 300 lives including 30 civilians.

The US Department of State has expressed strong protest against the violence in South Sudan. Eric Reeves, an American analyst claims that the violence is in fact a coup led by Vice President Machar to oust the Presidential regime. Reeves further alleges that this coup has the support of Omar Bashir, the President of Sudan.