South Sudan: UN documents violence against civilians and authorities' impunity
A guard of the South Sudan People's Defense Force (SSPDF) Chief of Staff, November 21, 2022 [Illustrative image].
AFP - SAMIR BOL
Text by: RFI Follow
3 mins
In South Sudan, violence against civilians perpetrated by militias and security forces at the instigation of the authorities has exploded in the space of twelve months according to a report drawn up by the local United Nations Mission (Minuss).
“
While the government had announced investigations, in most cases there was no investigation, charge or trial
,” said one of the investigators, Andrew Clapham.
He considers it “
essential to remedy impunity
” in this country.
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In South Sudan, the figures on the violence perpetrated against the civilian population are staggering: +79% civilian murders in 1 year, +464% kidnappings of women and children, +360% sexual violence linked to conflict.
In a report published this week, investigators from the UN Human Rights Commission denounce the persistence of attacks against civilians and impunity.
► See also South Sudan: the UN worries about the maintenance of peace in a torn country
While the long-delayed elections are scheduled for the next eighteen months, the commission calls on the authorities in Juba to put an end to impunity, said at the microphone of
Alexandra Brangeon,
one of its experts, Andrew Clapham: "
Our report documents how government officials ordered militias to carry out large-scale killings, systematic rapes and forced displacement of civilians in Leer County, an area believed to be loyal to the opposition.
In North Tong County, we noted that the security forces had launched a campaign of violence against civilians, even as the heads of the three main government security organs were deployed in the area.
»
He continues: “
We also documented summary executions in County Mayong, during a military operation led by senior government and military officials.
As in Leer, in North Tong, those responsible for these human rights violations have never been punished and are still in office.
While the government had announced investigations, in most cases there were no investigations, charges or judgments.
»
Andrew Clapham concludes: “
We are of the opinion that it is essential to remedy impunity, if we want to put an end to these violations, and give a chance to stability and peace.
»
► To read also Report Africa - In South Sudan, inter-community conflicts fueled by power struggles
The Juba government immediately rejected these accusations of human rights violations and opposed the renewal of the commission's mandate.
It should be noted that two local officials from South Sudan, at the head of pro-government militias, Gatluak Nyang Hoth and Gordon Koang Biel, were sanctioned by the European Union on March 7, 2023 for "systematic use of sexual violence as a tactic
of war
”.
On March 8, the British authorities sanctioned Major General James Nando "
who commanded the South Sudan People's Defense Forces, perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence in Tambura County in 2021
".
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