South Sudan Civilian Massacre Threatens Peace

South Sudan is at a dangerous point as a surge in killings threatens a fragile 2018 peace deal. The United Nations human rights chief, Volker Türk, reported 189 civilian killings in January and a 45% increase in rights violations. At least 16 people were killed by elements of the South Sudan People s Defence Forces in Jonglei on February 21, with witnesses reporting soldiers opening fire on unarmed civilians. Western powers, including the United States, European Union, and United Kingdom, have accused military-linked groups of carrying out a deliberate massacre. The South Sudan government, through spokesperson Ateny Wek, denied deliberate targeting of civilians, attributing deaths to crossfire. The country has been in political turmoil since First Vice President Riek Machar was suspended and charged last year, further straining the peace agreement between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir Mayardit and Riek Machar.