From RFI · · 1m 40s
Amnesty accuses South Sudan and UN of ignoring massacre warnings
Amnesty International says authorities and peacekeepers received advance notice of a March attack that killed over 200 people in Abiemnom but failed to prevent it.
In brief
Amnesty International says authorities and peacekeepers received advance notice of a March attack that killed over 200 people in Abiemnom but failed to prevent it. Amnesty International accused South Sudanese authorities and UN peacekeepers of failing to prevent a massacre in Abiemnom on March first, twenty…
Massacre kills over 200 in Abiemnom
Armed men stormed Abiemnom town on March first, twenty twenty-six, in the early hours, killing more than two hundred people including children and destroying homes and property.
Between one thousand and fifteen hundred attackers
Between one thousand and fifteen hundred armed Nuer men from Mayom County in Unity State carried out a four-hour assault that left more than two hundred dead and many injured.
“This is one of South Sudan's largest documented massacres since 2020.”
Warnings came two weeks before
Amnesty found that South Sudanese authorities and UNMISS received warnings of a possible attack as early as two weeks before the massacre. Unity State's information minister publicly acknowledged authorities were aware of the threat.
Tensions rising since mid-February
UNMISS acknowledged tensions had been rising since mid-February and around one thousand people sought refuge at its temporary operating base on the outskirts of Abiemnom when violence escalated two days before the massacre.
Amnesty demands independent investigation
Amnesty called for an urgent, independent, impartial and transparent investigation to hold those responsible accountable. It urged the government to ensure survivors and victims' families receive justice and reparations.
“Their failure to take stronger action cost lives.”
UNMISS must review its response
Amnesty also urged UNMISS to conduct an independent review of its response before, during and after the massacre and to make its findings public.
What it means
Amnesty International accused South Sudanese authorities and UN peacekeepers of failing to prevent a massacre in Abiemnom on March first, twenty twenty-six, despite receiving advance warnings.