23 dead in clashes between South Sudan government, opposition forces
Clashes between South Sudanese government forces and opposition rebels in the Ruweng administrative area have resulted in 23 deaths and the displacement of thousands. The violence occurs as the country prepares for its first national elections, raising concerns about potential instability.
Why it matters
The ongoing conflict highlights the fragility of South Sudan's peace process and the risks of renewed civil war ahead of critical national elections in a country already suffering from extreme poverty and corruption.
Four weeks of clashes between South Sudan government and opposition forces in the north of the impoverished country have left 23 people dead while thousands have fled the conflict zone, authorities and police said Sunday. Hundreds of people have died in clashes across South Sudan in recent weeks between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those of detained former vice president Riek Machar and other ethnic unrest, as the world's youngest country heads towards national elections scheduled for December 22. Ruweng administrative area's information minister Tony Chol Ayat told AFP that fighters from Riek Machar's SPLA-IO force had entered Ruweng from neighbouring Unity state. He said fighting between October 4 and Thursday this week had left 23 dead and 17 wounded. The toll was confirmed by two police sources.
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