UNMISS condemns the detention of IGAD ceasefire monitors in Unity State

JUBA, South Sudan, August 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) condemns the detention of a team of six Intergovermental Authority on Development (IGAD) ceasefire monitors and three aircrew in Buoth (35 km South West of Bentiu in Unity State) on Saturday, 23 August 2014 by forces allied to Sudan People's Liberation Army In Opposition. A Sudan People's Liberation Army liason officer, who was part of the team, died during the detention period reportedly due to natural causes.

The monitors were part of a verification team and were in Unity State on a routine mission.

UNMISS assisted in locating and flying the ceasefire monitors and the aircrew to the UNMISS base in Bentiu on Sunday, 24 August 2014.

Efforts are currently underway by the Mission to recover the IGAD-contracted aircraft that flew the monitors to Bouth.

The Mission reiterates its full support for the IGAD mediation and the monitoring and verification mechanism, as agreed to by both parties on 23 January 2014, and calls for the full cooperation of all parties in finding a peaceful and durable solution to the current crisis.