LINCOLN — Members of Nebraska’s South Sudanese community gathered at the State Capitol on Friday to commemorate the killings that launched the country’s current civil war.
Michael Chockchock of Omaha said his brother and niece are among the tens of thousands killed during the past four years.
The latest violence in the country, which gained its independence in 2011, began with a dispute between South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and former Vice President Riek Machar.
On Dec. 15, 2013, militias loyal to Kiir attacked people from the ethnic Nuer tribe in the capital city of Juba. Chockchock said 20,000 people were killed over the space of three days.
Battles, and civilian casualties, have continued, despite efforts by the United Nations to reach a peace agreement.
Close to 4 million people have fled their homes and taken refuge in surrounding countries.
Miyong Kuon, who lives in Papillion, said the Lincoln rally was one of several around the world being held to call attention to the situation in South Sudan.
He said participants hope American officials will push for sanctions on the current South Sudan government and for Kiir’s removal from office.
“We want the U.S. government to not turn their backs,” Chockchock said.
Newer articles:
- Call to South Sudan leaders to shun violence - 18/12/2017 05:58
- New initiative to urge peace for South Sudan - 18/12/2017 04:50
- South Sudan Inches Closer to Hybrid Court on Conflict’s Four-year Anniversary - 17/12/2017 09:33
- South Sudan: A Premature State? - 16/12/2017 21:27
- South Sudanese in Minnesota ask for U.S. intervention in country's fighting - 16/12/2017 18:37
Older news items
- South Sudan’s Peace Process Needs New Thinking - 15/12/2017 13:26
- UK government must step up its support for South Sudan - 15/12/2017 09:55
- South Sudan's Kiir promotes three generals facing U.N. sanctions - 15/12/2017 09:55
- Factbox: South Sudan - the world's youngest country torn by conflict - 15/12/2017 04:55
- In South Sudan, "childhood under attack" as country enters fifth year of fighting - 15/12/2017 03:08
Latest news items (all categories):
- South Sudan sets 22 December for country's long-delayed first-ever election - 23/06/2026 15:44
- Ambassador Enarsson Backs Campaign to End Sexual Violence in Conflict at Juba Advocacy Event - 23/06/2026 15:41
- Rampant Junior Starlets crush South Sudan to clinch CECAFA bronze - 23/06/2026 15:26
- Validating Progress Towards Closing Immunity Gaps in South Sudan - 23/06/2026 15:23
- تحديد موعد أول انتخابات في تاريخ جنوب السودان - 23/06/2026 15:14
Random articles (all categories):
- South Sudan: Thousands Still Missing - 28/08/2020 06:48
- South Sudan VP blames former rebel leader for unrest - 28/09/2016 16:42
- CIA Funds Political Instability in South Sudan - Analyst - 11/04/2018 23:35
- UN says Sudan fighting forces over 202,000 to cross into South Sudan since April - 24/08/2023 06:16
- Can technology help more survivors of sexual assault in South Sudan? - 17/03/2025 15:46
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 146580 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 27538 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 24700 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 24033 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 21912 times
