Sexual violence, abductions still rampant in South Sudan: UNMISS
October 20, 2024 (JUBA) – Sub-national violence is still a major concern among civilians across South Sudan, the United Nations mission in the country (UNMISS) said.
Between April and June 2024, UNMISS said it recorded 317 incidents affecting at least 1,062 civilians, (including 160 women and 188 children), of which 442 were killed and 297 injured. The mission also said 197 abducted civilians were abducted and 126 subjected to sexual violence.
This, it stated, represents a steep increase of 43 percent in the number of violent incidents (from 222 to 317), as well as a 22 percent rise in the number of victims (from 871 to 1,062) compared to the same period in 2023.
“These numbers also indicate a 32 percent uptick in violent incidents (from 240 to 317) and a 16 percent increase in the number of victims (from 913 to 1,062) in comparison to the previous quarter (January – March 2024),” the mission said in statement.
The UN, however, noted with concern the upsurge in documented abductions and sexual violence, saying the number of abductions increased by an alarming 181 percent (from 70 up to 197).
There was also a 168 percent rise in the number of victims of sexual violence (from 47 to 126).
According to UNMISS, women and girls continued to be disproportionately affected by conflict-related sexual violence, with documented cases of victims recorded at up to 99 percent.
“The considerable increase in violent incidents, especially abductions and attacks against women, is alarming and must stop,” said Nicholas Haysom, head of UNMISS, adding “Respect for human rights is the foundation upon which lasting peace and stability are built. Given the recent extension of the transitional period, it is vital that national, state, and local authorities as well as communities and their leaders redouble their efforts to resolve longstanding conflict drivers through dialogue.”
He said the mission continues to protect civilians across the country, bring communities together to reconcile differences, and actively support political and peace processes.
UNMISS said inter/intra-communal violence by community-based militias and/or civil defense groups linked to border disputes, cross-border violence, cyclical and retaliatory attacks, as well as ethnic polarization remained the primary source of subnational violence, accounting for 83 percent of victims documented across the country.
“However, nationwide trends of violence involving conventional parties to the conflict remained low during the reporting period.” it stressed.
Meanwhile the mission urged government to protect civilians by preventing repeated cycles of violence, investigating violations and abuses of human rights as well as international humanitarian law, and holding perpetrators accountable under applicable laws.
(ST)