South Sudan Massacre Leaves Nearly 170 Dead, Raises Fears of Renewed Civil War
ABYEI ADMINISTRATIVE AREA, South Sudan – A brutal attack in South Sudan’s Ruweng Administrative Area has left at least 169 people dead, including 90 civilians and 79 members of the regional security forces, officials said Monday. The massacre, which unfolded early Sunday morning, is fueling fears the world’s youngest nation could be sliding back into full-scale civil war.
Authorities say the assault was carried out by armed youth believed to have crossed from neighboring Unity state. Accusations have been leveled against the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO), a rebel force, though the group has denied involvement, claiming the tragedy is being exploited for political gain.
Information Minister James Monyluak Mijok described the scene as horrific, stating that victims – including children, women, and the elderly – were quickly buried in a mass grave due to the scale of the loss and ongoing security concerns. He further alleged that officials in Unity state “must have had knowledge” of the planned attack, a claim that remains unaddressed by those officials.
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) reported that approximately 1,000 civilians fled toward its nearby base seeking protection as violence escalated. “Such violence places civilians at grave risk and must stop immediately,” said Anita Kiki Gbeho, officer in charge of the mission. Peacekeepers are currently treating at least 23 wounded individuals and are urging all parties to cease hostilities and engage in dialogue.
The attack targeted Abiemnom county, beginning around 4:30 a.m. local time, catching residents completely off guard, according to Mijok. He added that government forces were outnumbered, and attackers set fire to homes and markets during a three-to-four hour rampage. Among those killed were key local leaders, including the county commissioner and executive director.
This latest violence comes as a fragile 2018 power-sharing agreement between President Salva Kiir and rival Riek Machar appears to be unraveling, prompting the UN to warn of a potential return to all-out civil war.
The incident echoes a similar attack in Abiemnom last year, which resulted in the deaths of over 42 civilians.
Meanwhile, escalating clashes in Jonglei state have forced the medical charity MSF to suspend operations in Lankien and Pieri after 26 staff members went missing. The organization reported its Lankien facility was struck by a government airstrike on February 3.
South Sudan has struggled with war, corruption, and poverty since gaining independence in 2011.
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