South Sudan President says 'peace not war'
- 10 years ago
Christmas in South Sudan, and there is not much peace for the war weary inhabitants.
Bodies are strewn around the town of Bor, which was captured by rebel forces last week.
Government forces retook the town on Christmas Eve.
Taking Bor had been one of the success stories for the rebels.
The town is just 200 miles north of the capital Juba and strategically important.
In a state broadcast, the country’s President, Salva Kiir, said he wants an end to the fighting: “I want to assure you that peace and not war, hope and not despair, will be achieved in this country”
After the rebels took over, some 17,000 people sought refuge at the United Nations base in Bor.
The war has so far displaced at least 80,000 people. Almost half of them have sought shelter at UN compounds.
Nevertheless, there is some cheer.
At a UN mission run by Cambodians, three babies were born on Christmas Day.
A tiny ray of hope for the future of South Sudan, itself the world’s newest country.
Bodies are strewn around the town of Bor, which was captured by rebel forces last week.
Government forces retook the town on Christmas Eve.
Taking Bor had been one of the success stories for the rebels.
The town is just 200 miles north of the capital Juba and strategically important.
In a state broadcast, the country’s President, Salva Kiir, said he wants an end to the fighting: “I want to assure you that peace and not war, hope and not despair, will be achieved in this country”
After the rebels took over, some 17,000 people sought refuge at the United Nations base in Bor.
The war has so far displaced at least 80,000 people. Almost half of them have sought shelter at UN compounds.
Nevertheless, there is some cheer.
At a UN mission run by Cambodians, three babies were born on Christmas Day.
A tiny ray of hope for the future of South Sudan, itself the world’s newest country.