South Sudan government urged to check ethnic attacks

South Sudan government urged to check ethnic attacks

The African Union (AU) has urged the Government of the Republic of South Sudan to pursue and intensify the efforts being undertaken to prevent the reoccurrence of the ethnically-based massive attack on two districts in Uror County in Jonglei State.

The ethnic attack led to the death of hundreds of people with many others injured or abducted, including children.

In a statement, the Chairman of the Commission,Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, called of the South Sudanese government to bring the perpetrators to justice and promote lasting reconciliation among the concerned communities.

He reiterates AU’s commitment, in close coordination with UNAMISS and other stakeholders, to assist in whatever way possible the efforts of the Government in preventing the reoccurrence of ethnic crisis in South Sudan.

Deadly ethnic attack

Local South Sudan officials say at least 640 people were killed, with over 861 injured and 208 children kidnapped in the attack, which of August 18.

Around 7,924 houses were set on fire and over 38,000 heads of cattle stolen.

The attack is believed to have been launched by neighboring Murle tribesmen, when armed groups infiltrated into Peiri and Pulchuol Payams [districts] at about 5:00am local time on Thursday.

According to a team of Jonglei state officials, who visited the area on Friday afternoon, most of those who died were children.

The attack is understood to be a revenge operation against the Lou Nuer tribe after an attack on the Murle last June in which many deaths were reported and cattle stolen.

The AU condoled with the bereaved families and with the entire people of South Sudan and its Government.

PR/Iheanacho