Ethnic violence flares in South Sudan

January 27, 2012

Caritas Internationalis, the Church’s confederation of relief and development agencies, is warning that thousands of people are fleeing their homes in the wake of violence between two ethnic groups in Jonglei, the largest state in South Sudan.

“Over 120,000 people have so far been affected by the extreme violence in Jonglei between the Murle and Lou Nuer communities,” Caritas said in a statement. “Villages have been burned to the ground and women and children attacked.”

The conflict, says Renee Lambert of Catholic Relief Services, “is being driven by young people who have lost their respect for their elders.”

 

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Further information:

• Growing crisis in South Sudan’s Jonglei as fighting continues (Caritas Internationalis)