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Scores Dead in South Sudan Ferry Accident Fleeing South Sudan Violence, Scores Drown in Nile
(35 minutes later)
NAIROBI, Kenya — Rebel forces in South Sudan attacked Malakal, the capital of the oil-rich state of Upper Nile, again on Tuesday, amid reports of a deadly ferry accident that claimed the lives of more than 200 people trying to flee sectarian fighting.NAIROBI, Kenya — Rebel forces in South Sudan attacked Malakal, the capital of the oil-rich state of Upper Nile, again on Tuesday, amid reports of a deadly ferry accident that claimed the lives of more than 200 people trying to flee sectarian fighting.
Col. Philip Aguer, a spokesman for the South Sudanese military, said the people on board were all civilians, including women and children, who were trying to escape the advance on the town of Malakal. “The boat was overloaded,” Colonel Aguer said. The circumstances of the accident were not clear.Col. Philip Aguer, a spokesman for the South Sudanese military, said the people on board were all civilians, including women and children, who were trying to escape the advance on the town of Malakal. “The boat was overloaded,” Colonel Aguer said. The circumstances of the accident were not clear.
Many people displaced by the fighting in South Sudan have sought safety by crowding onto barges and crossing the White Nile. In the rush to escape, witnesses have described how people have been crushed or fallen overboard and drowned, but the recent accident is the worst reported thus far. Many people displaced by the fighting in South Sudan have sought safety by crowding onto barges and crossing the White Nile. In the rush to escape, witnesses have described how people have been crushed or fallen overboard and drowned, but the recent accident is the worst reported yet.
Malakal has already traded hands twice in the conflict, with the rebels capturing the strategic city early in the conflict, then retreating in the face of a government assault in late December.Malakal has already traded hands twice in the conflict, with the rebels capturing the strategic city early in the conflict, then retreating in the face of a government assault in late December.
“Today there is fighting anew” in and around Malakal, said Toby Lanzer, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator for South Sudan, in a message on Twitter on Tuesday. He said the number of civilians seeking protection at the United Nations base near there “has soared from 10,000 to 19,000.” “Today there is fighting anew” in and around Malakal, said Toby Lanzer, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator for South Sudan, in a message on Twitter on Tuesday. He said the number of civilians seeking protection at the United Nations base near there had “soared from 10,000 to 19,000.”
The fighting was touched off by a political dispute between President Salva Kiir and his former vice president, Riek Machar. Mr. Kiir dismissed Mr. Machar along with the rest of his cabinet in July.The fighting was touched off by a political dispute between President Salva Kiir and his former vice president, Riek Machar. Mr. Kiir dismissed Mr. Machar along with the rest of his cabinet in July.
The United Nations said in late December that more than 1,000 people had been killed since fighting broke out in South Sudan on Dec. 15. The International Crisis Group said last week that the number of fatalities was approaching 10,000. The United Nations said in late December that more than 1,000 people had been killed since fighting broke out on Dec. 15. The International Crisis Group said last week that the number of fatalities was approaching 10,000.
The humanitarian crisis only continues to grow. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, around 413,000 people are internally displaced and 66,500 are seeking refuge at United Nations bases around the country. More than 74,300 have already fled the country, with 4,000 to 5,000 arriving daily in neighboring Uganda alone, four out of five of them children. The humanitarian crisis continues to grow. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, around 413,000 people are internally displaced and 66,500 are seeking refuge at United Nations bases around the country. More than 74,300 have already fled the country, with 4,000 to 5,000 arriving daily in neighboring Uganda alone, four out of five of them children.
“We all assume that the humanitarian situation will get worse,” said Jose Barahona, country director in South Sudan for Oxfam. “There are new people displaced.” Access for humanitarian aid groups has been difficult in the rapidly shifting security situation. In places like Malakal, he said, it can be safe one day and dangerous the next, as offensives and counteroffensives take shape.“We all assume that the humanitarian situation will get worse,” said Jose Barahona, country director in South Sudan for Oxfam. “There are new people displaced.” Access for humanitarian aid groups has been difficult in the rapidly shifting security situation. In places like Malakal, he said, it can be safe one day and dangerous the next, as offensives and counteroffensives take shape.
“Due to the uncertainty of military operations, we have been deploying and evacuating people the whole time,” said Mr. Barahona. “There are very few places in the country where we can actually go.”“Due to the uncertainty of military operations, we have been deploying and evacuating people the whole time,” said Mr. Barahona. “There are very few places in the country where we can actually go.”
The Satellite Sentinel Project, a nonprofit group, released satellite photographs showing homes destroyed in the town of Mayom, in Unity State, a region where there are large oil reserves. The satellite pictures also showed damage to oil storage tanks and manifolds in the state. In Jonglei State, the market in the capital, Bor, suffered significant damage, as did homes in nearby villages, many of which were burned to the ground.The Satellite Sentinel Project, a nonprofit group, released satellite photographs showing homes destroyed in the town of Mayom, in Unity State, a region where there are large oil reserves. The satellite pictures also showed damage to oil storage tanks and manifolds in the state. In Jonglei State, the market in the capital, Bor, suffered significant damage, as did homes in nearby villages, many of which were burned to the ground.
At least three aid workers have been killed so far. Dozens of humanitarian aid compounds have been looted of supplies and dozens of their vehicles have been stolen.At least three aid workers have been killed so far. Dozens of humanitarian aid compounds have been looted of supplies and dozens of their vehicles have been stolen.
Although the United Nations has not officially raised its estimate of the death toll, the organization said in a statement on Sunday that interviews and investigations revealed “horrific allegations of atrocities by antigovernment forces against civilians and surrendering soldiers, including summary executions, torture, sexual violence and ethnically targeted killing.”Although the United Nations has not officially raised its estimate of the death toll, the organization said in a statement on Sunday that interviews and investigations revealed “horrific allegations of atrocities by antigovernment forces against civilians and surrendering soldiers, including summary executions, torture, sexual violence and ethnically targeted killing.”
The United Nations mission said it “deplores these horrendous acts of violence and utter disregard for human life and dignity.”The United Nations mission said it “deplores these horrendous acts of violence and utter disregard for human life and dignity.”
Diplomats from across the region and around the world have urged, cajoled and begged the two sides to negotiate a cease-fire, thus far to no avail. Over the weekend, the United States special envoy, Donald Booth, met with Mr. Machar at an undisclosed location. But there has been no breakthrough.Diplomats from across the region and around the world have urged, cajoled and begged the two sides to negotiate a cease-fire, thus far to no avail. Over the weekend, the United States special envoy, Donald Booth, met with Mr. Machar at an undisclosed location. But there has been no breakthrough.