At Least 71 Killed In Clashes In South Sudan’s Rumbek

At least 71 people, including four soldiers, were killed in violent clashes in the central South Sudanese town of Rumbek on Friday, the interim government said.

Witnesses told AFP that a group of young people from outside Rumbek had attempted to seize control of the town and briefly succeeded.

Police and military reinforcements later arrived, forcing the attackers to withdraw. Two witnesses said the fighting subsequently moved beyond the town’s limits.

“Armed civilians engaged in violent clashes in the city of Rumbek … on Friday, October 9, around 4 am, resulting in significant loss of life,” the interim Ministry of Information said in a statement.

“According to initial security reports, at least 71 people were reportedly killed,” including four soldiers, the ministry added.

The government said additional security forces had been deployed to Rumbek and that they now had the situation under control. Four armed civilians had been arrested, according to the statement.

The caretaker government condemned the violence and urged communities to refrain from further attacks, exercise restraint and remain calm. It also said security forces would work to protect civilians.

The clashes come as South Sudan remains under an interim administration after President Salva Kiir dissolved the transitional government ahead of elections scheduled for December.

SOURCE: AFP