Amnesty International: Urges South Sudan, UN to Investigate Abiemnom Massacre

• Amnesty International reported that over 200 people were killed in a four-hour assault on Abiemnom town on March 1.
• Both South Sudanese authorities and the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) had prior knowledge of the impending attack but failed to take adequate preventive measures.
• The attackers, 1,000 to 1,500 armed Nuer men, destroyed scores of homes and property during the assault.
• Amnesty International is urging for an urgent, independent investigation and accountability for those responsible for the massacre.
• The report highlights the government's failure to protect residents and ensure justice for victims, despite clear warnings.

The devastating loss of life and widespread destruction in Abiemnom necessitate an immediate, independent, and transparent inquiry, ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.

On March 1, a brutal four-hour assault unfolded in Abiemnom town, located near South Sudan’s southern border, resulting in the deaths of over 200 individuals, including children. Between 1,000 and 1,500 armed Nuer men, originating from Unity State’s Mayom County, carried out the attack, which also left many more injured and scores of homes and properties destroyed. This tragic event marks one of the most significant documented massacres in South Sudan since 2020.

South Sudanese authorities later confirmed a death toll of at least 213 people, comprising 130 town residents, 76 members of the security forces, and seven foreign nationals. Amnesty International’s investigations specifically documented seven killings that occurred just outside the rear gates of the UNMISS Temporary Operation Base (TOB), situated near the airstrip on the eastern edge of the town. Survivors recounted how the attackers shot residents in their homes, courtyards, or as they desperately tried to flee or hide, with some victims reportedly shot at close range after being captured or injured. Despite attempts by government security forces and armed residents to repel the assailants, they were ultimately overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the attack.

Amnesty International's recent report, titled "The Abiemnom Massacre: Inaction and Impunity in South Sudan," reveals that both South Sudanese authorities and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) possessed advance knowledge of the impending attack, yet failed to implement adequate preventive measures. Investigations by the organization indicated that both entities were aware of a likely assault two weeks prior to its occurrence. Media reports cited the Minister of Information of Unity State acknowledging the state's awareness of the potential threat, while community members and survivors informed Amnesty International of warnings regarding the mobilization of weapons and fighters from Mayom County.

Despite these clear indicators, the community was left insufficiently protected. Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, highlighted that both the government and UNMISS had sufficient information and time to take more effective preventive action, and their failure to do so cost lives. UNMISS itself acknowledged heightened tensions since mid-February, noting that approximately 1,000 people sought refuge at its Temporary Operation Base on the town's periphery when violence escalated 48 hours before the attack. The fact that UNMISS deployed an additional 40 personnel from its Formed Police Unit to bolster protection *after* the attack, rather than before, raises serious questions about its operational decisions. This pattern of inaction is particularly concerning given a similar deadly attack on Abiemnom in April 2025, which should have served as a critical precedent.

The human rights organization strongly condemned the South Sudanese authorities for not only failing to protect the residents of Abiemnom but also for their subsequent failure to investigate the massacre, ensure accountability for those responsible, and provide justice and redress for the victims and their families. Amnesty International asserts that the government's inability to safeguard its citizens has been treated as "business as usual" for more than half a year since these deadly events. The devastating loss of life and widespread destruction in Abiemnom necessitate an immediate, independent, and transparent inquiry, ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.

The report suggests that the massacre might have been triggered by the unresolved killings of several young men from Mayom County within Abiemnom County, further exacerbated by a pervasive culture of impunity following a prior attack.

Amnesty International emphasizes that the perpetrators of this horrific violence must be held accountable. The organization's findings underscore a critical need for both the South Sudanese government and UNMISS to re-evaluate their protection mechanisms and commitment to upholding human rights in the region.

Source: Original reporting via Amnesty International