Africa-Press. Twenty people were killed in an attack by armed individuals on a military base in Warrap State, northern South Sudan, as authorities declared a state of emergency due to an unprecedented drought.
This comes amid warnings of crop damage, livestock deaths, and the potential for an imminent catastrophic famine, as the country faces a significant decline in international aid.
Regional authorities in Warrap reported that the attack resulted in the deaths of 20 individuals, in addition to six of the attackers.
The regional information minister stated that a group of armed individuals attacked the military base in Warrap, leading to the deaths of 16 members of the armed forces and police, along with four civilians. The motives of the attackers were not immediately clear.
The city of Warrap has been experiencing recurring violence among local groups, often taking on a retaliatory nature, alongside raids targeting livestock in the area.
The state had witnessed similar incidents in August.
In parallel with the security tensions, authorities announced a state of emergency in Warrap due to the drought on Friday.
The regional information minister stated in a statement, “The state is facing an unprecedented drought caused by a severe lack of rainfall, resulting in crop damage and significant losses in livestock and pastures.”
This crisis coincides with the threat of the El Niño phenomenon, which is expected to bring severe climatic disasters to large areas of East Africa in the coming weeks.
The regional official urged the central government and international partners to provide assistance “to avoid an imminent catastrophic famine,” as international aid, which South Sudan relies on to address its humanitarian crises, continues to decline.
The security and climatic crises come as South Sudan prepares for a significant political milestone, with the country seeking to hold elections in December, the first since South Sudan declared independence in 2011.
This electoral milestone coincides with rising local violence, drought, and declining international aid, which exacerbate the challenges facing the country, particularly with warnings of worsening humanitarian conditions in Warrap and other areas.
