U.N. mediates in South Sudan violence

JUBA, South Sudan, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- More than 37 people were fatally shot during a meeting intended to end violent conflict between ethnic factions in South Sudan, U.N. officials said.

After a week of violent inter-ethnic clashes, Valerie Amos, the U.N. emergency relief coordinator, came to Mayendit, in Unity state, South Sudan, to mediate talks between local officials from three states, the BBC reported.

Amos said South Sudan faces a possible growing humanitarian crisis as thousands of people flee the new country.

Tribal slayings in the South Sudan states of Jonglei and Warrap, violent border clashes with Sudan from which it seceded in July and a dispute over oil are all major crises which loom large over the population -- especially the poor, the Los Angeles Times reported Thursday.

Amos flew to Pibor in Jonglei state Thursday where conflict between the Lou-Nuer and Murle tribes and resultant massacres left villages attacked, women and children killed or abducted, and thousands of cattle stolen.

"It's a terrible situation and I was able to see people who have lost their loved ones, their possessions and livelihoods," Amos said, but cautioned the South Sudan calamity was much wider.

"I'd like to emphasize my concern about the situation in South Sudan broadly," Amos said. "The situation is very precarious and the risk of a dangerous decline is very real. The scope of this crisis cannot be ignored."