30,000 displaced by violent clashes in South Sudan: UN
December 29, 2022 (BOR) – An estimated 30,000 people have been displaced following recent violent clashes by armed elements in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, the United Nations said.
On 24 December, armed young men from South Sudan’s Jonglei State attacked communities in parts of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area. The violence has reportedly led to cattle raiding, destruction of properties, and displacement of thousands of people.
According to the UN, some 5,000 internally displaced people, including women and children, have reportedly arrived in Pibor town after fleeing the conflict areas of Gumuruk and Lekuangole.
“People have suffered enough. Civilians – especially those most vulnerable – women, children, the elderly and the disabled – bear the brunt of this prolonged crisis”, said Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan.
The recent violent outbreak follows another massive displacement of civilians which was triggered by fighting mid-November 2022 in Fashoda County, Upper Nile State.
Vulnerable people in South Sudan continue to suffer the cumulative and compounding effects of years of social and political instability, food insecurity, and climate-related shocks such as flooding.
The ongoing conflict, including violence at the sub-national level, has impacted thousands of people in 2022, leading to multiple displacements, loss of lives and livelihoods. This has also exacerbated people’s chronic vulnerabilities and mounting needs for life-saving humanitarian assistance and protection.
“The violence must stop. The whole humanitarian community calls upon all armed elements to immediately cease hostilities, respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians and humanitarian workers,” said Nyanti.
“Impunity is a perpetuating factor and root cause for conflict and insecurity. There must be accountability,” she stressed.
In 2023, a projected 9.4 million people will need humanitarian assistance and protection, and an estimated 2.8 million people are expected to face physical violence including, rape, and other forms of gender-based violence and will need protection assistance, the UN said.
(ST)