At least 169 people have been killed and buried in a mass grave in South Sudan, two local officials told AFP today, the latest incident as the country sees a dramatic increase in violence. The desperately poor country has seen a surge in violence throughout the nation, as forces loosely allied to either the opposition or government troops under President Salva Kiir clash.
The local information minister, James Monyluak, gave the same toll following the early Sunday morning attack but also warned that the figure may increase further if more bodies are discovered. He told AFP by phone that the dead included women, children and elderly people.
Monyluak further said that around 50 others were wounded and transferred to medical facilities in Abyei and Warrap State for treatment. Also a diplomatic source told AFP the initial information over the Abiemnom incident indicated the attack was conducted by a Nuer group, potentially in revenge for the killing of some traders.
