South Sudan: 56 Killed / UN and Partners Call for S. Sudan Leaders to Intervene to Stop Attacks in Pibor : UN News / Eye Radio

Lou Nuer White Army

UN News

UNMISS, the African Union mission, regional bloc IGAD, the so-called Troika (United States, United Kingdom, and Norway), the European Union, and the body overseeing the peace agreement signed by the warring parties in South Sudan (R-JMEC), issued a statement on Wednesday, saying they were “gravely concerned about the escalating ongoing violence, loss of life and reports of alleged use of heavy weaponry”.

News reports quoting a local official said youths from the Nuer community had attacked members of the Murle ethnic group in Greater Pibor.

The fighting began when armed youths attacked the village of Lanam, according to Greater Pibor’s information minister. He told news outlets that members of both groups suffered fatalities, with 17 Murle community members among those injured.

The information minister for Jonglei state also reportedly condemned the fighting and called on young fighters from the state, to immediately end the violence, and return home. Both senior local officials called for central Government intervention to end the violence, according to news reports.

The world’s youngest country has been mired in violence which escalated not long after gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, between Government forces led by President Salva Kiir, and fighters loyal to his rival Riek Machar.
Ultimatum

The statement from the UN and partners urged combatants and supporters “to immediately cease hostilities, exercise restraint and respect human rights.”

They called on South Sudanese leaders “to urgently intervene to stop the fighting and ensure the safety and security of civilians as well as unimpeded humanitarian access to people affected by the fighting.”

They emphasized the need to investigate and hold all perpetrators of violence to account, “including those who are instigating and inciting violence and those responsible for the abduction of women and children.”

Dialogue, not fighting

The statement also strongly encouraged national politicians and traditional leaders to persuade young fighters to stop the violence and pursue “a dialogue-based approach that focuses on restoring calm and peacefully resolving the root causes of the conflict.”

While the primary responsibility for protecting civilians lies with the national Government, UNMISS and international partners reiterated that they are ready to provide all necessary support to protect civilians in affected areas.

Stepping up patrols

“UNMISS is intensifying patrols in conflict hotspots and closely monitoring the situation, noting that such fighting has in the past led to significant loss of life and large-scale civilian displacement.”

The statement also noted that the “uncalled for violence” posed a serious risk to the peace and stability of all South Sudanese, and called on the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism, to investigate, urging the parties to the conflict, to facilitate access.

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from Eye Radio S. Sudan

More than 50 people have been killed in ethnic violence between armed youth from the administrative area and Jonglei State, local authorities have confirmed.

The inter-communal conflict believed to have been carried out by armed youth from the neighboring Jonglei State has also wounded 17 others.


Pibor Information Minister Abraham Kelang Jiji says the fighting first erupted in Lanam village before escalating and advancing towards Gumuruk town and Kongore Payam of Lekuangole County.

Kelang said the casualties are armed youth from both sides.

This comes barely a few days after the United Nations Mission in South Sudan warned of violence following mobilization and preparation for an attack by armed youth and militia groups from the two areas.

Speaking to Eye Radio Tuesday morning from Pibor town, Minister Kelang says the wounded are currently receiving treatment in Gumuruk town.


“Conflict started yesterday [26th December 2022] in Gumuruk town and also at the same time in Kongor in Likwangole County. This fighting ended in the evening time,” Kelang said.

“The fight started again in the morning at 700 AM in Gumuruk. The update of the causalities both in Gumuruk town is 56 death, while 17 injuries are in town currently in Gumuruk.”

Last week, The United Nations Mission in South Sudan warned of threats of mass attacks following a report of the mobilization of armed youth in the Greater Jonglei area.

In a press release sent to Eye Radio on Wednesday, the UN says such mobilizations could possibly result in violent attacks that can gravely impact the civilian population.