Clashes between South Sudan's Dinka population, the largest ethnic group to which the president belongs to, and the Nuer, the ethnic group of the former vice-president now leading the armed opposition, have descended the country into a fresh civil war. 

Just a few days ago, a massacre was carried out against the Nuer population during which more than 200 people were reportedly killed. 

The United Nations compound in the country has become an emergency sanctuary to the remaining Nuer in South Sudan's capital. The UN base has been transformed from a logistics hub for an aid operation into a sanctuary for more than 10,000 people. 

"We are now actively trying to transfer our assets from other peacekeeping missions like MONUSCO (in the Democratic Republic of Congo) ... and some other areas," said U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. "And we are also seeking support from other key countries who can provide the necessary assets."

The latest violence began after a fight between Dinka and Nuer soldiers in the presidential guard on 15 December, igniting a simmering political power struggle in South Sudan's ruling party and sparking widespread ethnic killings.

Read more at Reuters.

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