EU, Western embassies demand justice after 169 killed in Ruweng assault

2026-03-05 - 08:57

Western diplomatic missions in South Sudan are calling for accountability following a deadly attack in Abiemnhom County of the Ruweng Administrative Area that left at least 169 people dead on spot. In a joint statement, the European Union delegation and the embassies of Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States condemned the March 1 assault and demanded that those responsible face justice. “Those responsible for these atrocities must be held to account,” the diplomats said. The missions said they were appalled by the scale of the violence, which reportedly killed civilians, including women and children. According to earlier reporting by Eye Radio, heavily armed attackers stormed parts of Abiemnhom in the early hours of Saturday, killing scores of civilians, local officials and members of security forces. The victims reportedly included the county commissioner and other senior local authorities. Local officials said dozens of people were injured in the attack. At least 80 wounded victims were referred to Abyei for specialized treatment, but seven of them later died from their injuries. The violence also forced many residents to flee their homes as homes and property were reportedly burned during the assault. Authorities in Unity State said they do not condone any violence and pledged to investigate the incident and hold those responsible accountable. However, the state government denied claims that the attackers were armed youth from Mayom County. The diplomatic missions also urged South Sudanese leaders to work together to restore stability and prevent further violence. “South Sudan’s leaders have to work together to end violence and re-establish peace across the country,” the statement added. The attack is among the deadliest incidents reported in the Ruweng area in recent years, amid recurring insecurity involving armed youth and intercommunal violence