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.
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