A survivor of an attack on a village in Unity State says that she saw eight children shot and killed by pro-government South Sudanese forces. The account published here was recorded by staff of the UN Children’s Agency (UNICEF), who interviewed survivors at a UN peacekeeping base.
The survivor, ‘Monica’ (this is not her real name), says that during the attack village elders were also burned alive.
Monica, 39 years old:
“My house was burned and our cattle was looted. They even burned our sorghum. Some elderly people were also burned alive inside their houses.
“They shot at everyone. I saw eight children get shot. I knew three of them. They were little. They were about 5, 6 and 10 years old.
“When they first came they were looking for men but when they found the boys, they said, ‘We are fighting against your fathers, and when you grow up, you too will fight against us with the opposition.’ And they took them and killed them.”
Related:
Dozens of children killed by SPLA armed groups: witnesses (18 May)