New York, US - Ban commends South Sudan govt on civilian protection - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday commended the Government of South Sudan for its commitment to protecting civilians, as well as efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict between the Lou Nuer and Murle communities in Jonglei state through dialogue. Ban made the commendation in a telephone conversation with the President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir on Monday evening.

A statement made available to PANA in New York quoted the secretary-general as noting that, 'the commitment to the rule of law and respect for human rights is fundamental'.

He also stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of the conflict.

It stated that Ban also informed the Kiir that the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) was fully mobilized to assist the government in its efforts to ease the tensions.

UNMISS has deployed a battalion of troops in the town of Pibor in Jonglei last week in an attempt to protect members of the Murle community from an attack by an estimated 6,000 fighters from Lou Nuer ethnic group.

The government also deployed a battalion of its army, the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), inside Pibor.

Media reports at the weekend indicated that thousands of members of the Murle community who had sought refuge in Pibor had fled the town as it came under attack by armed Lou Nuer youth.

Jonglei state has been blighted by a series of reprisal attacks between the two communities, which have a history of animosity over grazing land, water sources and cattle raids during which women and children are often abducted.

More than 1,000 people are estimated to have been killed in ethnic clashes within South Sudan this year, with Jonglei one of the states worst affected by the violence.

Also, thousands of civilians have been displaced from their homes.

Pana 04/01/2012