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The recent report on violence against civilians has drawn attention to a troubling increase in both general violence and instances of conflict-related sexual violence (CSRV) in South Sudan.
This comprehensive report is built on various accounts, including testimonies from victims and eyewitnesses, as well as information gathered from secondary sources identified during field missions, service providers, and protection partners.
Escalating Violence: Killings, Abductions, and More
In the last year, UNMISS recorded 1,019 violent incidents that directly affected 3,657 civilians.
The harsh realities include 1,561 individuals killed, 1,299 injured, and 551 abducted, with at least nine among them being humanitarian workers. Additionally, 246 people suffered from CRSV. This represents a 15 percent increase in violent incidents compared to 2023 and a nine percent rise in the number of victims.
The predominant cause of civilian harm was identified as armed communal violence perpetrated by community-based militias and civil defense groups, responsible for nearly 80 percent of the reported victimization. Specifically, Warrap state experienced the highest rates of civilian deaths and injuries attributed to these groups, while Western Equatoria saw the highest incidence of sexual violence.
Abductions were particularly concentrated in Central Equatoria, conducted mostly by alleged members of splinter groups from the National Salvation Front, and were also reported in Jonglei state, where armed elements from the Murle community were implicated.
Call for Immediate Action
“The protection of civilians and the prevention of further violence necessitates urgent measures from authorities at all levels, alongside community engagement to tackle the root causes of conflict through peaceful means,” emphasized Nicholas Haysom, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for South Sudan and Head of UNMISS.
He highlighted the pressing need for promoting dialogue, fostering reconciliation, and enhancing social cohesion to alleviate tensions and rebuild trust among communities.
While the responsibility to safeguard civilians primarily falls on the Government of South Sudan, UNMISS has called for national and state authorities to implement necessary strategies to halt violence, alleviate tensions, and ensure accountability for those who perpetrate acts of violence.
UNMISS supports these vital efforts by conducting thousands of peacekeeping patrols annually. Additionally, they back community initiatives aimed at reconciliation and peacebuilding through dialogue while also assisting in political and peace processes.
Rising Tensions and Stability Risks
Despite being the world’s newest nation, achieving independence from Sudan in July 2011, South Sudan quickly descended into civil conflict.
In December 2013, fighting broke out between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those led by his rival, Riek Machar, resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths and displacing millions. A peace agreement in 2018 brought an end to the conflict and established a unity government.
However, the UN has expressed concerns about a potential return to full-scale war amidst escalating tensions, notably following the recent arrest of Mr. Machar and the mobilization of armed forces from competing factions in various regions.
During a briefing to the UN Security Council, Mr. Haysom warned that the worsening political and security landscape poses a significant threat to the fragile peace achieved in recent years.
Source
news.un.org