Deadly Clashes and Child Abductions Rock South Sudan Ahead of Elections

Youths attacked a village in eastern South Sudan, killing at least 12 people and leaving 15 children missing. The attacks occurred amid increased local conflicts ahead of the scheduled elections.

Recall that the civil war from 2013-18 caused hundreds of thousands of deaths, and activists believe the recent rise in violence is partly connected to the elections to choose leaders to succeed the transitional government.

The Murle ethnic group is suspected of abducting children, and the attackers are also suspected of killing children. Pochalla County, mostly inhabited by the Anyuak ethnic group, has fought sporadically with the Murle, who mainly live in neighboring Boma County.

This violence has involved ethnic groups from neighboring Jonglei State. More than 150 people were killed earlier this year during conflicts between rival groups in northern and western South Sudan.