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The UN has not made an estimate of the number of people killed in Malakal, but reported
that between December 30, 2013, and January 3, 2014, alone 218 bodies were buried in
one cemetery. 174 Human Rights Watch spoke to local aid workers who said they had
collected around 500 bodies in early January. 175
The town has been extensively burned and looted, with most of the damage to the market
during the initial fighting. On a visit to Malakal in mid-February, Human Rights Watch
researchers found the town empty of civilians and many homes burned out or still
smoldering. Most civilians fled to villages, churches, the hospital, or the UN base north of
the town. Around 20,000 people are still sheltering in the UN base in Malakal.
Attack on Civilians by Opposition Forces, January 2014
On January 14, 2014, opposition forces attacked a second time. During their attack on
January 14, the opposition white army fighters, wearing colored headbands to indicate
their counties of origin (reportedly Akobo, Nasser, and Fangak areas), went house to house
demanding money, phones, food, or other goods, according to witnesses. They looted
indiscriminately, including from ethnic Nuer residents, but appear to have carried out more
violence against non-Nuer residents.
Many witnesses interviewed by Human Rights Watch in Malakal in mid-February said
they had left the town before the January 14 attack, taking refuge at the UNMISS
compound or other locations. Those who returned to the town after the attack reported
seeing dead bodies on the streets or in homes. Many victims apparently had been shot
during robberies.
In one example, two armed white army fighters shot a man from Maban county in the face
and stomach, killing him instantly, when he refused to hand over money and mobile
phones. His 22-year-old wife, who witnessed the shooting, recalled:
When the rebels came from Nasir, we were at home. Some came together
and demanded a mobile. My husband, Jumaa, said ‘No, we don’t have one.’
The rebels left but then two of them came back and again asked for a
174 UNMISS, “Conflict in South Sudan, A Human Rights Report”, p35.
175 Human Rights Watch interview with South Sudan Red Cross volunteer, (name withheld) Malakal, February 15, 2014.
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