Attack in South Sudan's Ruweng area kills 122, official says


NAIROBI, March 2 (Reuters) - ⁠A group of unidentified men attacked a town ⁠in South Sudan's Ruweng Administrative Area on Sunday, ‌killing 122 people, including 82 civilians, the area's information minister said on Monday.

The country has seen rising violence in recent months ​as political infighting threatens a fragile ⁠2018 peace deal.

The latest ⁠attack took place in Abiemnhom in Ruweng, when youth ⁠from ‌Mayom County in neighbouring Unity State stormed the town and fought for more than ⁠three hours, Information Minister James Monyliak Mijok said.

"I ​would like ‌to sadly inform you that among those killed ⁠included the ​County Commissioner and the Executive Director," he said, adding that eighty-two of those killed were children, women, and elderly.

"...We ⁠managed to bury them this morning... ​Fifty people sustained major and minor injuries."

The violence highlights concerns, including from the United Nations, of deepening instability ⁠since the arrest of former First Vice President Riek Machar a year ago.

President Salva Kiir signed a peace agreement with Machar in 2018 to end five ​years of civil war that left ⁠an estimated 400,000 dead.

But implementation of the deal has ​been slow and the opposing forces ‌have clashed frequently over disagreements ​about how to share power.

(Writing by George Obulutsa; editing by Ammu Kannampilly and Nivedita Bhattacharjee)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In World

Trump 'very disappointed' with UK's Starmer for initially blocking use of air bases, Telegraph says
Analysis-Trump presses ahead with Iran war despite warnings of political risk for midterms
Kremlin says continuing talks with Ukraine is in Russia's own interests
US-Israel attacks kill at least 555 people in Iran, says Red Crescent
Greenland vote in Danish election to test sentiment on independence and Denmark ties
Australian far-right senator censured over 'inflammatory' Muslim comments
Oman says Iran seeks peace, urges restraint as tensions mount
Argentina's Milei says to pursue lower taxes and electoral system reform
Factbox-Nepal's long history of political instability
Iranian-made drone hits British air base in Cyprus, causing limited damage

Others Also Read