Evidence of South Sudan massacre draws massive criticism
What you need to know:
- Al Jazeera, the only international broadcaster in the area, obtained footage of over 100 dead bodies seen laying along the road between the airport and the mosque in Bentiu.
New evidence has emerged of a massacre in South Sudan as Kenyans took to social media to protest the atrocity.
The White House also expressed horror at what it called the "abomination" of spiralling violence. (READ: US 'horrified' by violence in South Sudan)
Al Jazeera, the only international broadcaster in the area, obtained footage of over 100 dead bodies seen laying along the road between the airport and the mosque in Bentiu.
According to the UN, rebel gunmen killed over 200 people at a mosque in the centre of town after determining their ethnicity.
"What is going on here is disgraceful," said Ms Mary Cumins, UN acting Unity State co-ordinator. "What we have seen in Bentiu and Rubkona towns is utterly horrible and beyond description.
BODIES ON THE STREET
"The number of bodies laying around on the streets as we drive through is inhumane and makes me speechless."
Kenyans on Twitter posted and retweet graphic images from the incident while others expressed their frustration over the lack of intervention by neighbouring countries.
Bentiu, like other towns in South Sudan, has changed hands several times since the fighting between government soldiers and rebel groups started in December.
The UN has accused the rebel forces of killing civilians based on their ethnicity.
However, South Sudan rebel commander Riek Machar told Al Jazeera that his forces were not behind the massacre.
PEACE TALKS
"The field military commander in Bentiu who told me that such an accusation is false. We respect our people. The majority of the forces are from the region and we can’t kill our citizens."
A statement from Igad said the resumption of the second phase of peace talks has been rescheduled to April 28 to allow for further consultation. "During this period, the parties will confer with their principals while the Igad special envoys will remain closely engaged with leaders of Igad member States and other parties."
The talks were adjourned on April 7 and were to resume on April 22.
