Press releases

Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General The Secretary-General strongly condemns the brutal sexual attacks perpetrated against women and girls in the last ten days in the Unity region of South Sudan. These horrific acts are a distressing reminder of how, despite recent recommitments by South Sudan’s leaders to a cessation of hostilities and a revitalized peace agreement, the security situation for civilians remains dire, especially for women and children.

Peacekeeping is a remarkable exercise in global solidarity. United Nations peacekeepers are ready to pay the ultimate price for peace, and we are all in their debt.   Last week, eight of our peacekeepers, all from African countries - Malawi and Tanzania, were killed in the line of duty. Most were trying to prevent an attack on the town of Beni in the Democratic Republic of Congo and create a safe environment for those working to end the Ebola outbreak there. I send my deepest condolences to their families, and to the families of all peacekeepers killed in the line of duty.

The Secretary General is greatly concerned at the rise in violence in recent days in the Central African Republic. An attack on an IDP camp in the town of Alindao left at least 37 people dead on 15 November. The attack was attributed to the UPC (Union for Peace in the Central African Republic).

Briefing by Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), on Sudan and South Sudan.