The United Nation’s Special Advisor on the prevention of genocide, Adama Dieng, says he fears escalating ethnic violence in South Sudan.

He says recent examples of ethnically targeted rape, civilians being killed with machetes, and villages being burned to the ground are threatening indicators.

Speaking at a press conference in Juba on Friday after visiting South Sudan for five days, Mr. Dieng urged that there is need for precautionary measures to be taken in order to avert the likelihood of genocide.

“What that began as a political conflict has transformed into what could become an ethnic war with the stalling of the implementation of the peace agreement, the current humanitarian crisis, stagnating economic situation and the proliferation of arms, all these ingredients are there for the escalation of violence,” said Adama Dieng.

“Genocide is a process, it doesn’t happen overnight, and because it is a process and one that takes time to prepare, it can be prevented. Action can and must be taken now to address some of the factors that fertile ground for genocide,” he said.

Responding to the statement made by Mr. Dieng, the Minister of Information, Michael Makuei, told The Associated Press that the accusation that South Sudan is at risk of genocide is “very unfortunate.

Makuei said he does not agree with the UN diplomat Mr. Dieng, saying that what is happening in South Sudan has nothing to do with genocide.