UNMISS: Ceasefire in South Sudan 'Largely Holding'

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has reported that the ceasefire in the crisis-gripped country appears to be "largely holding, barring sporadic gunfire," while the UN refugee agency has urged countries to keep their borders open for people fleeing tensions in Juba, where the human rights wing has warned the situation is "deteriorating rapidly." Mission chief Ellen Margrethe Loj, strongly urged all parties to adhere to the ceasefire and called on South Sudanese leaders to ensure the order is conveyed through all security forces' chains of command so that soldiers return to their barracks. 
The ceasefire comes after days of clashes between soldiers of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) and the SPLA in Opposition, in an around the South Sudanese capital of Juba. The UN human rights office has said that since Thursday, 7 July, according to Government figures, at least 272 people had been killed, including 33 civilians. 
UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters at UN Headquarters on Tuesday that Loj has urged security forces in Juba to allow unhindered access to UNMISS patrols to protect the civilian population and called on the parties to allow civilians to move freely to places of refuge. 
"She urged the Government to open up corridors to allow UN and humanitarian actors to provide vital supplies and other assistance to the affected civilians, as well as access for medical evacuations," Dujarric added. 
UNMISS also reported that the airport in the capital has been reopened, although commercial flights remain suspended. Peacekeepers were able to conduct a limited number of short patrols in Juba.

Source : QNA