South Sudan: 84 killed in two attacks in Tonj North
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on AGP Gabon
Eighty-four people were killed in two intercommunal attacks in Tonj North, in South Sudan’s Warrap State, on 27 and 28 October. Churches and civil society are calling for intercommunal dialogue, while the UN Commission on Human Rights is warning of political risks ahead of December’s elections, according to RFI.
Two intercommunal attacks killed 84 people on Tuesday and Wednesday 28 October in Tonj North County, in Warrap State, central South Sudan, according to local authorities, civil society and the country's churches cited by Radio France Internationale. Livestock was stolen and markets were set on fire.
South Sudanese churches are calling on the authorities to intervene and are demanding intercommunal dialogues to address the causes of these repeated outbreaks of violence, notably livestock theft, reprisals and administrative disputes. Edmund Yakani, director of the civil society organisation CEPO, is questioning how communities are being supplied with weapons and ammunition and is calling on young people not to take part in the clashes.
The UN Commission on Human Rights has warned the Security Council of the risk of a national conflict ahead of elections scheduled for December. It accuses President Salva Kiir of carrying out an “institutional coup” after the dissolution of the unity government and the dismissal of his rival Riek Machar as vice-president last month. The Tonj North attacks were followed by a call from South Sudanese churches to protect civilians.
