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Fighting kills 50 people in South Sudan's Wau

Wednesday, 29 June 2016 3:59 PM [ Last Update: Wednesday, 29 June 2016 4:33 PM ]

This February 3, 2016 photo shows members of the South Sudanese army patrolling areas in the northern parts of South Sudan. (AFP photo)

Fifty people have been killed in South Sudan's western town of Wau during fighting mainly between a new rebel group and government troops.

Moses Peter, humanitarian coordinator of the Caritas Diocese of Wau, said Wednesday that residential areas in Wau reeked of dead bodies. The town is located about 650 kilometers (over 400 miles) northwest of the capital, Juba. Peter said he had seen 50 bodies at a mortuary.

He said thousands of people are taking shelter at the church and aid group sites as well as UN peacekeeping base.

“The army, which is patrolling the streets here, has asked people to return to their homes but the displaced are still in fear,” Peter said, adding, “They do not want to return to their homes because they do not trust the army, because they say it is the army that killed civilians.”

The fresh wave of fighting comes only months after the government managed to reach a peace accord with South Sudan’s main militant group. However, officials in Juba announced Tuesday that a new militant group had been formed in Wau and that fighting may escalate.

Reports said the new group includes former government troops, fighters from the Uganda-led rebel group, the Lord's Resistance Army, and a Sudanese militia called the 'janjaweed.'

The International Organization for Migration said fierce fighting which took place on June 24-25 in Wau left many in need of help. It said relief agencies are providing emergency assistance to the displaced people.

Some residents of Wau said they had no option but to take refuge in the church as their houses were completely burned in the fighting.

“Many people have been killed,” said John Fredrick, a resident of Wau, calling on the government to take urgent action.

“If the new governor doesn't come and address us and assures us about our security, I will never return… I say I will never return home. It is better I am killed and buried here in the church,” said Fredrick.

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