Mass graves have been uncovered by United Nation investigators in rebel held cities across Southern Sudan as the violent fighting reaches a 10-day mark, the Associated Press reported.
The graves were found in Bentiu and contained one mass grave of 20 Dinka, while another contained 14, the AP reported.
The discovery of the graves occurred during negotiation talks between President Salva Kiir and ex-vice president Riek Machar to end the civil war, according to the AP. According to Navi Pillay, U.N. human rights chief, two other graves were also found in Juba.
A spokeswoman for the U.N. human rights office said U.N. officials went to the graves on Monday and confirmed 34 bodies instead of the original 75 they first reported, adding that there are still 75 people missing and feared dead, the AP reported.
The bodies in the graves belonged to Dink ethnic members from the Sudan People's Liberation Army, leading South Sudan government officials to believe Machar's army is responsible, according to the AP.
The town of Bentiu is currently occupied by the Machar followers, Michael Makuei Lueth, the government minister of information said, the AP reported.
Kiir reported government troops have regained control of Bor, the capital on Jonglei, which was previously controlled by Machar loyalists last week, according to the AP.
According to military personnel, the 17,000 civilians in refuge at a U.N. camp in Bor were frightened when armed government officers entered the camp. The troops will also move on to Bentiu in the Unity state, the AP reported.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry talked with Machar on the phone on Tuesday and reported he is ready for talks with Kiir which might take place in Ethiopia, the AP reported.
"I will form a high-level delegation, to which I will give full power to negotiate an accord," Machar told Radio France Internationale, the AP reported. "We want Salva Kiir to quit power. We want a democratic nation and free and fair elections."
The fighting, which began on Dec. 15 when guards working to Kiir began fighting against Dinka officials. Since the fighting began at least 20,000 people have sought refuge in U.N. camps fearing for their lives, the AP reported.
A vote in the U.N. Security Council will happen later Tuesday on whether more U.N. military should be sent in to South Sudan until the talks occur. If voted yes on, the 7,000 troops could grow to 12,500, the AP reported.
Catherine Ashton, a European Union official, said in order for the violence to stop, a political dialogue needs to occur, adding that violence only begets more violence, the AP reported.
"I am extremely concerned that South Sudan risks spiraling into a disaster for both its own people and the region. Such a situation can, and must, be avoided," Ashton said, adding: "The people of South Sudan have suffered war for too long to be plunged once more into an avoidable conflict," the AP reported.
