Massacre in South Sudan Leaves “Piles and Piles of Bodies” in Mosque

The horrific scene at a mosque in South Sudan where gunmen opened fire on hundreds of people crammed in for protection could only be described by a United Nations spokesperson as “piles and piles of bodies.” The massacre took place last week in the town of Bentiu, capital of the Unity state. In a report reminiscent of Rwanda 20-years ago, the ethnic slaughter was urged-on by calls for revenge broadcast over radio stations. UN officials said the hundreds inside the mosque were Bentiu townspeople who went there for protection. But shortly after they filled the building, gunmen stormed inside taking cellphones and cash before raining down lethal fire.  At least 2,500 people have been killed in ethnic fighting in South Sudan since last December. Thousands have squeezed into the local UN base which is now on the verge of spawning a humanitarian crisis as food, water and sanitation levels are all inadequate.