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NAIROBI, Kenya — The U.N.'s top official for human rights says she is appalled by the apparent lack of concern by leaders in South Sudan over the risk of a potential famine.
Navi Pillay told a news conference in South Sudan's capital on Wednesday that the country is on the verge of catastrophe because of a deadly mix of recrimination, hate speech and revenge killings since December. That's when South Sudan descended into mass violence after a split between the country's president and former vice president erupted.
Pillay said many South Sudanese could face famine later this year because the violence is preventing people from planting crops now.
She said President Salva Kiir and former Vice President Riek Machar do not appear to be concerned about the prospect of widespread hunger.