Clashes between displaced communities within a United Nations protection site in South Sudan have resulted in a tragic loss of life, exceeding 20 fatalities and leaving over 50 injured. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, reported that two of their staff members were among the wounded. Several individuals with severe injuries have been transported to Juba, the capital city, for medical care.
The situation remains tense, with numerous women and children who fled the camp still hesitant to return due to fears of further violence. Luz Linares, MSF's head of mission in South Sudan, expressed concern about the ongoing security risks.
The clashes, which erupted on Thursday within the Malakal camp, involved members of the Shilluk and Nuer ethnic groups, according to a representative of the displaced population. A stabbing incident reportedly triggered the violence. The U.N. mission in South Sudan has increased its military and police presence in the area, working closely with South Sudanese authorities to stabilize the situation.
Despite a 2018 peace agreement that aimed to end a five-year civil war, inter-communal violence continues to plague South Sudan. During the conflict, the Malakal site, along with other U.N. locations, provided refuge for thousands seeking safety. Currently, the Malakal camp houses over 41,000 individuals, including those displaced by the ongoing conflict in neighboring Sudan.
