Massacre in South Sudan: 169 Killed in the North of the Country

At least 169 people were killed by armed men yesterday, Sunday, in northern South Sudan, where violence has sharply escalated in recent weeks, two local officials told the media this Monday.

According to Elizabeth Achol, a health official for the Ruweng Administrative Area, “169 bodies were buried in a mass grave”.

“This figure could still rise if more bodies are discovered,” stated James Monyluak, the area's information official, reporting the same death toll.

South Sudan is plagued by war and poverty. Violence has intensified in recent weeks in other regions of the country between the army loyal to President Salva Kiir and militias supporting his rival, Riek Machar, who has been under house arrest for several months.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, called on Friday for “urgent action” in South Sudan, which is threatened by a “full-scale civil war”.