Amnesty Accuses South Sudan Authorities, UN Mission of Failing to Prevent Massacre

November 13, 2026 | By Semahegn Nigatu

South Sudanese authorities and the United Nations peacekeeping mission failed to prevent a massacre in Abiemnom town despite receiving warnings of an imminent attack, Amnesty International said in a report published on November 12.

The report, titled The Abiemnom Massacre: Inaction and Impunity in South Sudan, documents how between 1,000 and 1,500 armed men from Mayom County in Unity State attacked the town in the early hours of March 1, killing more than 200 people, including children, and injuring many others.

Amnesty said the South Sudanese government had also failed to investigate the killings, hold those responsible accountable or provide justice and assistance to survivors and victims' families.

The organisation further criticised the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), saying it had information about the likelihood of an attack but failed to take all available preventive measures to protect civilians.

South Sudanese authorities reported at least 213 deaths, including 130 town residents, 76 security personnel and seven foreign nationals. Most of the bodies were buried in two mass graves on the outskirts of Abiemnom.

Amnesty said its investigation found that both the government and UNMISS had received warnings about a possible attack approximately two weeks before it occurred. Community members told researchers that armed men from Mayom County had been mobilising weapons and fighters ahead of the assault.

The organisation said the attack may have been triggered by unresolved killings of young men from Mayom County in Abiemnom County and aggravated by a lack of accountability for an earlier attack.

UNMISS acknowledged that tensions had been high since mid-February and that about 1,000 people sought protection at its Temporary Operation Base on the outskirts of Abiemnom after violence escalated 48 hours before the massacre.

Amnesty questioned why the mission deployed an additional 40 personnel from its Formed Police Unit to reinforce protection efforts after the attack rather than before it.

"Given these warnings, as well as a similar deadly attack on Abiemnom in April 2025, both the government and UNMISS had sufficient information and time to take more effective preventive action," said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International's regional director for East and Southern Africa.

The report documents killings inside homes and courtyards, as well as attacks on residents attempting to flee or hide. Witnesses said some victims were shot at close range after being captured or injured.

Amnesty also documented the destruction of homes, the local market and parts of the hospital, which was looted of medical supplies and mattresses. Satellite imagery reviewed by the organisation showed that more than 230 structures had been destroyed by fire.

Seven of the killings documented by Amnesty occurred near the rear gates of the UNMISS base, where residents had fled in search of protection. Some victims were killed immediately outside the gate, while others died several metres away.

The entire population fled Abiemnom following the attack. When Amnesty researchers visited on March 28, only a handful of residents remained in the town, while others were living at displacement sites. Survivors told researchers they did not feel safe returning without assurances of protection.

The findings were based on interviews with 82 people, including 76 survivors and witnesses interviewed during visits to Abiemnom, Abyei and Juba between March and April. Researchers also interviewed religious leaders, medical professionals and analysts remotely and reviewed satellite imagery, photographs and videos.

Amnesty said it had written twice to South Sudanese authorities seeking responses to its preliminary findings but had received no reply by the time of publication. Two requests for information sent to UNMISS and other UN offices also went unanswered. UNMISS separately provided a response outlining its actions before, during and after the attack, which Amnesty said was reflected in the report.

The organisation called on South Sudanese authorities to launch an independent investigation, publish its findings and bring anyone suspected of criminal responsibility to justice through fair trials. It also urged the government to establish a parliamentary inquiry and provide survivors and victims' families with medical, psychosocial and livelihood support.

Amnesty further called on UNMISS to conduct an independent review of its response to the attack and make the findings public.

Source: FSX Business News