Minkammen (South Sudan) (AFP) - Crackles of gunfire send hundreds of people fleeing in a stampede -- South Sudanese civilians, traumatised after escaping brutal fighting in which their relatives died, are still terrified of fresh attacks.
But this time it is celebratory gunfire, as dozens of soldiers board a barge to cross the same White Nile river that tens of thousands of fleeing civilians crossed in the opposite direction.
The troops are returning to the battle to retake the key town of Bor, the last major town in rebel hands after almost a month of heavy conflict.
"Even here across the river, people are still so scared the rebels will come and attack," said Simon Deng, a student who, like over 80,000 other civilians fled Bor west across the river's vast swamplands, according to the United Nations.
"They have suffered so much, seen so much killing."
Day after day barges loaded with civilians arrive on the far river bank having escaped the fighting in Bor.
[1]A member of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) administers polio vacines to children in Minkammen, 25 kil …
Some of those included soldiers separated from their units when comrades rebelled, who are now regrouping to return back across to the fight.
South Sudan has been gripped by violence since December 15, when clashes broke out between army units loyal to South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and those supporting ex-vice president Riek Machar.
Top UN aid chief in South Sudan Toby Lanzer has warned of an "unfolding humanitarian catastrophe" in the young country.
The UN has said that "very substantially in excess" of 1,000 people have already been killed in the fighting, and that nearly a quarter of a million people have fled their homes.
What started as power struggle has morphed into a bitter civil conflict with ethnic overtones, pitting Kiir's majority Dinka tribe aginst Machar's Nuer community.
[2]People unload their few belongings on January 9, 2014 at Minkammen, South Sudan after fleeing violen …
Mamuor Akuer, 31, a father of four, was shot in the leg when gunmen from the Nuer people attacked his family, as they sheltered on a river island with their precious cattle.
Alongside the Nuer gunmen fought mutinous soldiers in army fatigues, he said.
"We were guarding the cattle and they came and took us by surprise, shooting and killing... 10 of us were killed and four wounded," Akuer said.
But Akuer managed to escape by boat down the narrow waterways to reach the once-sleepy village of Minkammen, where he received treatment for his bullet wound.
"Now I am powerless, I can't feed my children... my heart is broken," he said, as he rested on a bed in an emergency clinic set up by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF-Doctors Without Borders).
The battle to retake Bor continues.
The government has said it is mobilising thousands of additional troops, who are expected to join the offensive on the capital of Jonglei state.
Morale of the government troops has been boosted after comrades on Friday wrested back the key northern oil city of Bentiu from the rebels.
But in the opposite direction from where the soldiers head, the wounded and all those affected by the war flee, stretching those supporting them to the limits.
"The vast majority are people suffering from bloody diarrhoea, which is related to the bad conditions they are living in," said Hugues Robert-Nicoud, MSF programme manager.
Over 30 people with gunshot wounds have been treated by the tiny MSF clinic here since fighting began.
"We have treated people every day related to the war, including people who have been wounded in the fighting," Robert-Nicoud added.
- Unrest, Conflicts & War
- Politics & Government
- South Sudan
References
- ^ A member of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) administers … (news.yahoo.com)
- ^ People unload their few belongings on January 9, 2014 … (news.yahoo.com)
Source http://news.yahoo.com/south-sudan-soldiers-head-frontline-fight-rebels-045729606.html
Newer articles:
- South Sudan: Rebels Call Bentiu Defeat a 'Tactical Withdrawal', Uganda's Involvement Reveals - 12/01/2014 14:16
- South Sudan army says it is retaking Bor - 12/01/2014 08:10
- South Sudan rivals open ceasefire talks - 12/01/2014 08:04
- South Sudan recaptures oil hub from rebels - 11/01/2014 12:37
- South Sudan loyalists eye last rebel-held town - 11/01/2014 07:27
Older news items
- South Sudan claims recapturing oil-producing state from rebels - 10/01/2014 17:15
- South Sudan retakes oil town from rebels - 10/01/2014 16:07
- South Sudan says recaptures oil-producing state from rebels - 10/01/2014 14:19
- South Sudan's army says seizes back oil-producing state's capital - 10/01/2014 13:51
- South Sudan rallies more troops for fight against rebels - 10/01/2014 12:53
Latest news items (all categories):
- The power struggles among South Sudan’s political leaders are the direct cause of its ongoing conflict - 11/07/2026 14:03
- Celebrating Independence In The Midst Of Sorrow - 11/07/2026 13:41
- South Sudan resumes oil-backed financing - 11/07/2026 13:33
- Press statement: Strive For National Unity In Honor Of South Sudan's Independence - 10/07/2026 21:23
- Fifteen years of independence for South Sudan, but still little to celebrate - 10/07/2026 21:23
Random articles (all categories):
- UN pleads for release of abducted staff in South Sudan - 20/11/2014 13:30
- R-ARCSS and the illusion of peace - 25/03/2020 13:03
- Journalists Trained on Gender Responsive Reporting in Juba - 25/08/2021 19:58
- South Sudan says Sudan-backed militia attacks oil state - Chicago Tribune - 27/04/2012 18:00
- South Sudan's Support of Armed Sudanese Opposition Groups - 20/10/2016 19:48
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 147762 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 27842 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 24933 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 24253 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 22162 times
