169 killed in South Sudan massacre

At least 169 people have been killed and buried in a mass grave in northern South Sudan, two local officials told AFP Monday, as the country sees a dramatic increase in violence. South Sudan, the world’s youngest country, has been beset by civil war, poverty and massive corruption since it was formed in 2011. The […]

At least 169 people have been killed and buried in a mass grave in northern South Sudan, two local officials told AFP Monday, as the country sees a dramatic increase in violence.

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

The United Nations warns of a return to “all-out civil war” as a power-sharing deal between President Salva Kiir and his long-time rival, Riek Machar, has unravelled over the past year.

The desperately poor East African country also faces chronic ethnic violence and violent cattle-raiding.

The latest massacre happened early on Sunday in Abiemnom County near the Sudan border.

“A total of 169 bodies have been laid to rest in a mass grave,” Elizabeth Achol, health minister in the northern Ruweng administrative area, told AFP by phone.

Local information minister James Monyluak gave the same toll, saying it included women, children and elderly people and could increase further as more bodies are found.

A diplomatic source, speaking to AFP anonymously, placed the death toll at 70 but said it could rise. The government condemned “the barbaric attack” in a statement, confirming the killing of two senior local officials.

Minister of Information Ateny Wek Ateny said casualties include “both civilians and members of law enforcement” and that the incident would be investigated thoroughly.

Initial reports indicated the attack was carried out by an ethnic Nuer group, potentially in revenge for the killing of some traders, the diplomatic source added, though no group has claimed responsibility.