(Reuters) — An initial South Sudanese government death toll of 272 people, including 33 civilians, from a recent eruption of fighting in the capital Juba is likely to be much higher, U.N. peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous told the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday.
“I would believe that this is only the tip of the iceberg given alarming reports indicating over the last few days many civilians were barred from reaching safer ground,” Ladsous said.
Forces loyal to longtime rivals Vice President Riek Machar and President Salva Kiir fought street battles in the capital during a five-day period until a ceasefire was reached on Monday.
The events mirror those of December 2013, when a two-year civil war began after Machar, sacked from his post as Kiir’s deputy, withdrew his forces from Juba and launched a full-scale insurgency.
Ladsous urged the Security Council to consider a possible arms embargo and targeted sanctions.
“The never ending cycle of devastating violence of South Sudan must come to an end now,” he said.
South Sudan’s Ambassador to the U.N. Akuei Bona Malwal said the transitional government of unity remains committed to the peace agreement and asked for the international community’s help.
“We call on you to collaboratively work with the transitional government of national unity on how best we can together deliver peace and security to my people. We call on you to engage all parties to the agreement to double their efforts to implement this agreement to allow the people of South Sudan to start building a better future for the next generation.”
Kiir and Machar signed the peace deal in August 2015, but spent months arguing over details. Machar returned to Juba in April and was reinstated as Kiir’s deputy, a move that was meant to help cement the process.
