The death toll from the conflict in South Sudan has risen dramatically.
The United Nations and government of South Sudan initially reported the death toll at approximately 1000.
However the well-respected research and advocacy organization International Crisis Group (ICG) has now said the number of people killed is nine times higher.
“Given the intensity of fighting in over 30 different locations in the past three weeks, we are looking at a death toll approaching 10,000,” said ICG analyst Casie Copeland.
The UN has yet to endorse the newly assessed death toll but admitted that the previously stated figure of 1000 is not accurate.
“We are not able to provide final figures. “We know it will be very substantially in excess of the 1,000 figure,” said United Nations under secretary for peacekeeping operations Hervé Ladsous.