The White House

The U.S government is calling on warring parties, the government and the SPLM-SPLA in Opposition to hold accountable those who carried out targeted killings in Unity state last week.

On Monday, the UN Mission in South Sudan reported that forces loyal to Dr Riek killed civilians in a Mosque, a church and at the hospital after retaking Bentiu town from the SPLA.

A statement from the White House describes the killings as an “abomination”.

The US government said it is horrified by reports that Dr Riek’s forces massacred hundreds of innocent civilians in Bentiu, where at least 200 people were killed in a Mosque.

“We are horrified by reports out of South Sudan that fighters aligned with Machar massacred hundreds of innocent civilians last week in Bentiu,” the White House said in a statement.

It called on the leaders in the government and in the SPLM-in Opposition to condemn those responsible.

The White House said both President Salva Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar must make clear that attacks on civilians are unacceptable, and that those responsible for violence on both sides must be brought to justice.

“These acts of violence are an abomination. They are a betrayal of the trust the South Sudanese people have put in their leaders.”

And the United Kingdom has also condemned the killings in Bentiu and in Bor UN base.

The Office of the Foreign Affairs urged all the parties to the conflict to immediately cease hostilities and end the circle of violence.

It said the deliberate killing of civilians and IDPs in Bor and Bentiu is a clear violation of international law.

The United Kingdom also called for an end to all inflammatory media statements used by those in position to influence violence in South Sudan.

It further said individuals perpetrating the atrocities, and those inciting violence must be held accountable.