At least 169 people have been killed and buried in a mass grave in northern South Sudan, two local officials told Agence France-Presse on Monday, as the country experiences a sharp escalation in violence.
Since gaining independence in 2011, the world’s youngest nation has struggled with civil war, entrenched poverty and widespread corruption.
The United Nations has warned of a possible return to full-scale civil war as a fragile power-sharing agreement between President Salva Kiir and his longtime rival Riek Machar has deteriorated over the past year.
The impoverished East African nation also continues to grapple with persistent ethnic violence and deadly cattle raids.
The latest massacre occurred early Sunday in Abiemnom County, near the border with Sudan.
“A total of 169 bodies have been laid to rest in a mass grave,” Elizabeth Achol, health minister in northern Ruweng administrative area, told AFP by phone.
Local Information Minister James Monyluak confirmed the same death toll, saying the victims included women, children and elderly people, and warned the figure could rise as more bodies are recovered.
A diplomatic source, speaking anonymously to Agence France-Presse, estimated the death toll at 70 but said it was likely to increase.
Preliminary reports suggest the assault was carried out by members of the ethnic Nuer community, possibly in retaliation for the killing of several traders, the diplomatic source said, though no group has claimed responsibility.
— Humanitarian workers affected —
Many residents have fled to neighboring villages, while others have sought refuge at a local compound run by the United Nations, according to Monyluak.
“The security situation has since stabilised, with government security forces deployed and now in control of the area,” he added.
United Nations Mission in South Sudan peacekeepers are “temporarily sheltering about 1,000 civilians at our base in the area and providing emergency medical care to the injured,” a mission spokesperson said.
Fighting between government and opposition forces has in recent months centered on Jonglei state, where approximately 280,000 people have been displaced, according to the United Nations.
Humanitarian personnel have also come under attack. On Monday, Médecins Sans Frontières said 26 staff members were missing after an airstrike hit one of its facilities, prompting the organization to suspend medical services in Lankien and Pieri in Jonglei.
UN human rights chief Volker Türk on Friday expressed alarm over the country’s worsening situation and urged swift action to prevent a return to full-scale civil war.
