UN reacts after killing of 28 civilians in South Sudan

The UN peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan (Unmiss) has condemned the recent violence which resulted in a number of civilian casualties in Jonglei State in the east of the country.

Nearly 30 civilians were reportedly killed in an attack on a cattle camp in Duk Padiet County on Thursday, in what was believed to be a cattle raid by suspected armed youth from the Pibor area.

Unmiss did not provide the exact figure of those killed. Authorities in the area said on Sunday that the death toll had risen to at least 28 civilians, according to reports in local media.

It is the first incident of its kind in 2024.

Jonglei and Pibor areas are susceptible to violence, often triggered by cattle raiding and inter-communal revenge killings.

Unmiss says it is engaging the national, state and county authorities in order to “de-escalate the situation”. It has also urged the parties involved to cease the violence, avoid reprisal attacks and resort to peaceful means to resolve their grievances.

“The Jonglei State and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area authorities should enter into dialogue, bring the perpetrators to justice, and prevent further violence,” Unmiss stressed.