Amnesty says South Sudan and UNMISS failed to prevent Abiemnom massacre
Amnesty International says more than 200 people were killed in Abiemnom in March despite warnings given at least two days before the attack.
Amnesty International has accused South Sudan's government and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) of failing to prevent the Abiemnom massacre in March, despite receiving warnings of an impending attack. The human rights organisation said both had information about the planned assault but did not take adequate steps to protect civilians. Between 1,000 and 1,500 armed men from Mayom County attacked Abiemnom town on March 1, killing more than 200 people, including children.
South Sudanese authorities reported at least 213 deaths, including 130 civilians, 76 security personnel and seven foreign nationals. Amnesty said the attackers burned homes, looted property and damaged parts of the local hospital during the four-hour assault. About 1,000 people had sought protection at the UNMISS base on the outskirts of the town after tensions escalated 48 hours before the attack.
Amnesty questioned why UNMISS deployed 40 additional Formed Police Unit personnel after the massacre rather than before it. It also documented seven killings outside the base's rear gates, and satellite images showed more than 230 structures destroyed by fire. Amnesty has called for an independent investigation, and the government has not replied to its written requests for comment.
Why it mattersSurvivors and the families of the dead are still waiting for an investigation, and Amnesty is urging authorities to provide medical, psychosocial and livelihood support.