In South Sudan, concern about violence in several northern states. A local official announced on Tuesday (December 27th) that 56 people had lost their lives in four days due to inter-communal clashes in Jonglei State.
With our regional correspondent, Albane Thirouard
The conflict erupted several months ago in the village of Tonga in Upper Nile state. It fed on tensions between two rival opposition leaders, Johnson Olony, from the Shilluk community, and Simon Gatwech, from the Nuer community. Then, the clashes spread to the regions of Jonglei and Unity, still in northern South Sudan.
And if they oppose rival armed militias, they directly affect the civilian populations on the spot. At least 166 civilians have died in the conflict, according to the United Nations over the past four months, in Upper Nile state in northern South Sudan. Different sources also describe the displacement of tens of thousands of people, some even seeking refuge in neighboring Sudan.
Regional concerns
The populations who have fled describe numerous human rights violations: murders, gender-based violence, kidnappings, looting and even village fires. This insecurity hampers access to humanitarian aid. While the situation on the spot is critical according to the UN. The displaced lack food, sanitary facilities and even health care.
Faced with this situation, calls for de-escalation are increasing. In a statement Monday, December 26, Igad, the East African authority for development, said “ extremely worried by the recent clashes. Concern also on the side of the Kenyan President, William Ruto, who spoke on Saturday December 24 by telephone with his South Sudanese counterpart, Salva Kiir, calling on him, according to his press release, to act to bring peace to his country. And to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid.
►Also read: In South Sudan, displaced people from a camp in the northeast flee after an attack