UN welcomes SPLA-IO action plan to combat sexual violence

November 11, 2015 (NEW YORK) – The special representative of the United Nations secretary-general on sexual violence in conflict, Zainab Hawa Bangura has commended senior officers from South Sudan’s armed opposition faction (SPLM-IO) for signing explicit undertakings to prevent conflict-related sexual violence.

“54 commanders reportedly made the commitment in Pagak, South Sudan on 31 October. These included Lieutenant General John Buth Teny, one of the highest ranking SPLA-IO Commanders, as well as three Major Generals, six Brigadier Generals, 13 Colonels, 10 Lt. Colonels and 20 Majors.

According to the UN, the undertakings, which are a central element of an action plan of SPLA-IO to combat sexual violence, focus on accountability, timely and rigorous investigations, cooperation with military justice authorities, and protection of victims and witnesses, judicial actors, humanitarians and service providers.

“These undertakings mean that each senior officer takes individual responsibility as well as command responsibility for his troops, and publicly declares that he will hold each soldier accountable for sexual violence crimes,” said Bangura.

“This is an encouraging step towards the protection of women, children and men of South Sudan from such crimes,” she added.

The signing took place at the SPLA-IO base of operations in South Sudan, following a workshop related to prevention and response to conflict-related sexual violence organized by the Office of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, together with the Senior Women Protection Adviser from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

The commanders undertakings reportedly reinforce the commitment expressed by the armed opposition leader, Riek Machar in a Communique on preventing conflict-related sexual violence in South Sudan, issued on 18 December 2014.

The engagement with PLM-IO, the UN said is undertaken in the framework of Security Council resolution 2016 (2011) on sexual violence in conflict.

Meanwhile, the UN special representative also urged South Sudan government to engage in a similar process, in line with what is within the joint communique on conflict-related sexual violence between the government and the UNsigned by President Salva Kiir last year.

(ST)