The first peacekeeping reinforcements have arrived in South Sudan as the United Nations warned that tensions remain dangerously high despite efforts to organise a ceasefire between government and rebel forces.
The 72 member police contingent yesterday, moved from Democratic Republic of Congo, were the first of up to 6,000 troops authorised by the UN Security Council to bolster the hard pressed UN mission. The UN said dangers remain so acute that large numbers of bodies had been seen outside at least one UN base, but could not be collected.
UN peacekeeping spokesman Kieran Dwyer said the Bangladeshi police "will play a key role maintaining order and security" in UN bases where 63,000 people have sought refuge since fighting erupted on December 15. More troops and equipment were expected to arrive on Friday. More than 1,000 people have been killed since army forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and former vice president Riek Machar started fighting each other. The 15-nation Security Council voted on Tuesday to allow the reinforcements.