At Least 169 Killed in Massacre in Northern South Sudan, Officials Say

At least 169 people have been killed and buried in a mass grave following a violent incident in northern South Sudan, according to local officials. The killings reportedly took place early on Sunday in Abiemnom County, near the border with Sudan.

Elizabeth Achol, the health minister in the northern Ruweng administrative area, confirmed by phone that "a total of 169 bodies have been laid to rest in a mass grave." Another local official, James Monyluak, also provided confirmation of the death toll. The incident marks one of the deadliest outbreaks of violence in the region in recent months.

Sources indicate that South Sudan has experienced a sharp rise in violence, with concerns mounting over the stability of the country. The United Nations has warned of the risk of a return to "all-out civil war" as a power-sharing agreement between President Salva Kiir and his rival, Riek Machar, has deteriorated over the past year.

The country continues to struggle with chronic ethnic violence and cattle-raiding, which have contributed to the ongoing insecurity. The recent massacre in Abiemnom County is seen as part of this broader pattern of unrest.

In a separate development, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has reported that 26 members of its staff are missing following an air strike on one of its facilities. The details surrounding the air strike and the fate of the missing staff members remain unclear, familiar with the matter.

Officials have not provided further information regarding the perpetrators of the massacre or the circumstances leading up to the incident. The situation remains tense, with local authorities and humanitarian organizations expressing concern over the escalating violence and its impact on civilians.

As investigations continue, the international community is closely monitoring developments in South Sudan, amid fears that the violence could further destabilize the region.