Amnesty says UN, South Sudan officials failed to prevent village massacre

Amnesty International says South Sudanese authorities and UN peacekeepers failed to act strongly enough on warnings of an attack on Abiemnom before armed men killed more than 200 people on 1 March. The report raises questions about civilian protection by UNMISS as South Sudan prepares for elections that could put its fragile peace agreement under pressure.

Amnesty says 1,000 to 1,500 men from neighbouring Mayom County shot residents, burned homes and looted part of a hospital; satellite images showed more than 230 structures destroyed. Authorities reported 130 residents, 76 security personnel and seven foreign nationals killed. UNMISS says limited resources were focused on protecting about 2,500 people sheltering at its base, and that it had asked the national army for reinforcements. Amnesty is calling for an independent investigation and a review of the peacekeepers’ response; elections are scheduled for 22 December.