At least 120 people, including a county commissioner and executive director, were killed Sunday during a wave of violence in South Sudan’s Ruweng Administrative Area, local officials said.
The attacks, which targeted Abiemnhom County, have displaced over 1,000 civilians who are now seeking refuge at a United Nations base.
James Monyluak Mijok told Radio Tamazuj that armed youth from Mayom County in neighboring Unity State launched the assault early Sunday morning. According to Mijok, the dead include 80 civilians—among them women, children, and the elderly—and 40 members of the organized security forces.
“The wounded from the civilians and the organized forces until Sunday evening were 50 people,” Mijok said, adding that the death toll could rise as search efforts continue.
Mijok blamed the attack on Mayom youth and suspected members of the opposition SPLA-IO. However, the SPLM-IO has denied any involvement in the violence.
Unity State Information Minister Nyakenya Johannes Keah Ruai confirmed the incident and condemned the killings. She noted that authorities had received prior intelligence regarding a potential threat to Abiemnhom County.
In response, she said, the Governor of Unity State and the Chief Administrator of Ruweng held emergency talks, leading to the deployment of South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) Division 4 to the area.
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) expressed alarm over the “surging violence” in the region over the past 48 hours. In a statement, the mission confirmed that unidentified armed youth attacked the county headquarters Sunday morning.
“Such violence places civilians at grave risk and must stop immediately,” said Anita Kiki Gbeho, Officer in Charge of UNMISS. “The mission has enhanced its protective posture and is working with the government of South Sudan to support urgent efforts to restore calm.”
UNMISS reported that approximately 1,000 civilians sought protection outside its base as early as Feb. 28 as tensions began to simmer. Peacekeepers are currently providing emergency medical care to at least 23 people wounded in the latest clashes.
The region has been plagued by a cycle of retaliatory violence. A similar incident in Abiemnhom County last year left more than 42 civilians dead.