UN says dozens of civilians killed in north of South Sudan

UNITED NATIONS

Nairobi –  Dozens of civilians were killed in violence in the northern part of South Sudan in the past 48 hours, the UN mission there said Sunday.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said it was “alarmed by surging violence in Abiemnom, Ruweng Administrative Area” following reports of the killings Sunday.

Unidentified armed youth attacked Abiemnom county headquarters, located near the border with Sudan, wounding 23 people, UNMISS said in a statement.

“The Mission also notes with concern reports indicating that dozens of civilians and some local officials have lost their lives in today’s clashes,” it added.

UN peacekeepers were providing temporary shelter to over 1,000 people in their base, the statement added.

UNMISS chief Anita Kiki Gbeho: “I urge all involved to cease hostilities without delay and engage in constructive dialogue to address their grievances.”

South Sudan, the world’s youngest country, has been beset by civil war, poverty and massive corruption since it was formed in 2011.

There has been a surge in violence in recent weeks as a power-sharing deal between rival generals, Salva Kiir and Riek Machar, unravelled.

UN rights chief Volker Turk voiced alarm Friday at the country’s deteriorating situation, calling for swift action to avert a return to full-scale civil war.

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