JUBA: Renewed fighting in South Sudan has displaced more than 180,000 people, with witnesses describing indiscriminate use of barrel bombs and civilians fleeing into swamps as the country’s fragile peace unravels.
The world’s youngest country has been beset by war, poverty and massive corruption since it was formed in 2011, but violence is once again on the rise between rival factions, currently focused on Jonglei state north of the capital Juba.
“I am stuck and if worse comes, the only safe place for me to go is the swamps,” said Daniel Deng, 35, one of thousands displaced by fighting in Jonglei, speaking to AFP by phone.
He described heavy fighting last week in Duk county where he lives, after opposition forces took control only to be driven out by government troops.
“Many people were killed,” said Deng, estimating the number at around 300 fighters, which could not be verified by AFP.
