Photo taken on July 13, 2016 shows a Chinese peacekeeper who will receive medical treatment at Nakasero hospital in Kampala, Uganda. (Xinhua/Yuan Qing)
Three Chinese and one Rwandan peacekeepers who were injured in the weekend renewed fighting between two South Sudan rival army factions in the capital, Juba were airlifted Wednesday to Uganda for treatment.
Rosa Malango, UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda and Chinese Ambassador to Uganda, Zhao Yali received the three Chinese peacekeepers, Huo Yahui, Wu Le, Yao Daoxiang and Rwandan peacekeeper James Habiyakare who were wounded on Sunday after a mortal shell hit their vehicle around the UN compound in Juba.
The four were flown to the East African country abroad a chartered plane that landed at Entebbe International Airport, about 40 kilometers south of the capital, Kampala and rushed to Nakasero Hospital for treatment.
Edward Rukwaro, Chief Executive Officer of Nakasero Hospital said the Chinese peacekeeper Huo Yahui has severe injuries and broken bones, while the three others have minor injuries and need just pain management.
"We have stabilized their conditions. Immediately they arrived we started their management. We have taken the critically injured to the theater for operation. He will be fine. He will take about six weeks to recover," said Rukwaro.
Malango said the UN is securing a specialized plane to evacuate the critically injured Chinese and Ethiopian peacekeepers for specialized treatment in Kampala.
"We have two injured peacekeepers whose conditions are fragile. They can't be flown using ordinary planes. We are working to secure a specialized plane to evacuate them for treatment," said Malango.
Two Chinese peacekeepers under UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) were killed and five others injured on Sunday in renewed fighting between government troops of President Salva Kiir and forces loyal to Vice President Riek Machar in the capital Juba.
Ambassador Zhao while addressing reporters on Wednesday in the capital, Kampala condemned the killing of two Chinese peacekeepers and those injured.
"We are all shocked how these people attacked the peacekeeping forces. We condemn this brutality. We express condolences to the families of the bereaved soldiers," said the ambassador.
South Sudan's Health Ministry says at least 271 people were killed in the latest clashes. The exact number of those killed in fighting since Sunday to Wednesday is not yet known.
There are fears that the war-torn country could descend into civil war again.
President Kiir and former rebel leader Machar have fought a civil war which broke out in December 2013 and left tens of thousands of people dead.
A peace deal signed by the two men last August under UN pressure led to the formation of a national government in April with Machar returning to his old post.
Ambassador Zhao who said his government that has 700 peacekeepers in the country expressed disappointment over the failure by President Kiir and Machar to respect the peace deal.
"We hope the two sides can come down and sit together to find the immediate solution to stop the fighting. The innocent people are dying. We can't allow that. We really hope the ceasefire will be respected for the sake of this young state," said Zhao.
President Kiir and Vice President Machar on Monday evening ordered ceasefire respectively after days of heavy fighting between their forces in the capital Juba.
President Kiir directed all commanders to cease hostilities, control their forces and protect civilians, Information Minister Michael Makuei said in a televised speech on the state broadcaster.
Zhao said the Chinese government and UN are committed to secure peace, stability and protection of civilians in world's newest nation.
"Our mission is to safeguard the peace. That is our commitment. That is why we are there. We shall do all best to ensure peace prevails," said Yali.
