The UN in South Sudan is working to relocate staff from the capital, Juba, today as Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon demanded that South Sudanese political and military leaders end all hostilities and targeted attacks against civilians.
Ethinic tensions in the region have been escalating in recent days.
The United Nations says the withdrawal is a precautionary measure to reduce pressure on limited resources.
In flashpoint areas, more troops are being shipped in to help the UN fulfil its peacekeeping mission.
"We are not abandoning South Sudan. We are here to stay, and will carry on in our collective resolve to work with and for the people of South Sudan," said Special Representative for South Sudan and head of UNMISS, Hilde Johnson.
The decision to relocate some staff comes three days after an UNMISS base in Akobo, in restive Jonglei state, was overrun by an estimated 2,000 heavily armed assailants in an attack that left some 20 Dinka ethnic civilians dead alongside two UN peacekeepers.
#SouthSudan: UN Secretary General Ban demands end to violence as UN mission in South Sudan relocates staff from Juba http://t.co/gFrO1nP9ty
— UN Peacekeeping (@UNPeacekeeping) December 22, 2013
UN mission in #SouthSudan reinforces its military presence in Bor and Bentiu.Non-critical UNMISS staff in Bentiu will be relocated today.
— UN Peacekeeping (@UNPeacekeeping) December 22, 2013
The situation has been deteriorating for some days:
Thoughts with UN Mission in #SouthSudan where civilians and 2 Indian peacekeepers were killed in an attack in Akobo. pic.twitter.com/DSaZd63J92
— UN Peacekeeping (@UNPeacekeeping) December 21, 2013
UN operations
UNMISS continues to provide assistance and shelter to over 20,000 civilians gathered inside its compounds in the South Sudanese national capital.
Ban Ki Moon has said "I call on President Salva Kiir of South Sudan and opposition political leaders, including former Vice President Riek Machar, to come to the table to find a political way out of this crisis".
Deadly clashes have escalated in the country since last weekend, according to media reports, following what President Kiir's Government claimed was an attempted coup by soldiers loyal to the former Vice President, who was dismissed in July.
On Friday, the UN Security Council also condemned the ongoing violence.
Irish Troops are among those taking part in the UN mission in South Sudan.
