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| Africa Horn |
| Ban Ki-moon seeks to boost South Sudan force |
| 2013-12-24 |
| The UN secretary general has urged the Security Council to almost double the number of UN troops in South Sudan. Ban Ki-moon asked for 5,500 police and peacekeepers to add to the 7,000-strong force there, amid escalating violence and allegations of atrocities. He earlier said anyone responsible for abuse would be held to account. Tens of thousands of people have fled fighting, as rebels thought to support sacked former vice-president Riek Machar have seized major towns. His rival, President Salva Kiir, has promised an imminent counter-strike against the rebels. Mr Ban said attacks on civilians and UN peacekeepers "must cease immediately". "The United Nations will investigate reports of grave human rights violations and crimes against humanity," he said. "Those responsible at the senior level will be held personally accountable and face the consequences, even if they claim they had no knowledge of the attacks." He requested in a letter to the Security Council that 5,500 troops be reassigned from existed UN missions in other African countries, including Liberia and Democratic Republic of Congo. In addition, he asked for hundreds more police, three attack helicopters, three transport helicopters and one military transport plane. |
| Posted by:Steve White |