03 Apr 2020 | 12:24 AM UTC
South Sudan: Inter-communal violence kills 13 in Rumbek (Lakes State) March 28-29
Rival communities clash in Rumbek (Lakes state) on March 28-29, killing 13 people; further violence likely in near term
Event
At least 13 people were killed in communal clashes in Rumbek (Lakes state) from Saturday, March 28 to Sunday, March 29. The violence reportedly involved members of the pastoralist communities of Gak and Manuer and took place in the Malueth area of Rumbek. Most of those killed were from the Manuer community. Another 16 people sustained injuries in the clashes.
Further violence is likely over the near term.
Context
South Sudan has been wracked by years of political, interethnic, and intercommunal violence - exacerbated by border and oil revenue disputes with Sudan. Following the 2011 signature of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that gave the country its independence from Sudan, the predominantly north-south conflict has given way to a pattern of internal violence. Since December 2013, the country has experienced an intermittent civil war waged between President Salva Kiir's government and the SPLA on one side, and the rebel forces of the SPLM-IO, led by former Vice President Riek Machar, on the other. A 2015 peace agreement has failed to prevent outbreaks of ethnic and political violence and the conflict has continued despite international support for state-building and peacekeeping - including the 12,000-strong UNMISS force, deployed since 2011. Various factions had signed what was supposed to be a permanent ceasefire on December 21, 2017, in an effort to revive the 2015 peace agreement; however, the ceasefire was violated three days later.
Advice
Due to the high threat of intercommunal conflict and violent crime, all travel to South Sudan should be subject to a thorough localized threat assessment and undertaken in coordination with a trusted security provider. Members are advised to subject all travel, particularly to remote and rural areas, to strict journey management protocols. Avoid travel at night, vary routines and maintain a heightened sense of situational awareness. Monitor local media sources to remain apprised of security-related developments and adhere to any directives issued by local authorities.
