Thousands seek UN shelter after deadly South Sudan riots - Daily Monitor

The situation was said to be calm in Wau on Thursday but aid groups evacuated staff in anticipation of further tribal unrest, which in other recent instances in South Sudan has left hundreds dead in a few days.

Thousands of people fled the South Sudanese city of Wau and sought refuge at a nearby United Nations base following a flare-up of tit-for-tat tribal killings, medics and officials said Thursday.

A hospital doctor in Wau, one of the new nation's largest cities, said at least 12 people were killed on Wednesday, in the latest spate of rioting, which saw armed youths rampage through town and set buildings on fire.

The situation was said to be calm in Wau on Thursday but aid groups evacuated staff in anticipation of further tribal unrest, which in other recent instances in South Sudan has left hundreds dead in a few days.

Violence first erupted earlier in December when residents of Wau, the state capital of Western Bahr-el Ghazal, protested a plan by the central government to move the local seat of authority to Bagare, a smaller town 12 miles away.

Wednesday's renewed chaos drove civilians out of the city and a spokesman for the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said thousands of people were still sheltering at their base a day later.

"We still have thousands of civilians at our base being provided safety," said UNMISS spokesman Liam McDowall.

South Sudan government spokesman Marial Benjamin said the latest violence was the latest consequence of a protest by Wau residents angered by the government's decision to move administrative offices to Bagare.

"This demonstration turned violent and people were killed when police intervened to quell the violence," Benjamin said.

According to UN officials and medics, 10 people were killed on December 8.

The Dinka tribe dominates the security services and local observers have suggested that the rival Balande tribe exacted revenge for the police brutality by abducting 28 farmers.

Six of them were killed and the others are still missing.

"The six bodies of the kidnapped farmers were brought to Wau town on Sunday, raising tension among various communities... this is believed to be the trigger of the recent violence," Benjamin added.

The rioting that left 12 dead on Wednesday is believed to have erupted as groups sought to mete out revenge for the killing of the six farmers.

Eye witnesses reported heavy gunfire Wednesday as members of the Dinka and the Balande tribes engaged in running battles.