Hundreds killed in South Sudan ethnic violence – UN report

JUBA – The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has said in a report on humanitarian and human rights situation in the country that ongoing ethnic violence in many parts of the world’s youngest country has killed at least 444 people with 178 others being injured between February 1, and May 31 2021.

According to the report addressed to the United Nations Secretary-General, 54 of those killed were women and 41 children. The report said most of those killed belongs to civil defend groups, South Sudan People’s Defense Forces – the official army of the country – and some members of the main armed opposition SPLM-IO.

“Of these, 152 were attributed to civil defence groups; 13 to the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces; 13 to NAS; 5 to SPLM/A-IO; 1 to the South Sudan National Police Service; 1 to a wildlife officer; 1 jointly to SPLM/A-IO and the South Sudan National Police Service; 1 jointly to the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and the South Sudan National Police Service; 1 to the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces protection force in a governor’s convoy; 1 as a result of clashes between NAS and the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces; and 1 as a result of clashes between SPLM/A-IO and armed elements (Mabanese soldiers),” the report states.

The world mission in the country said it documented 206 incidents that negatively affected the human rights and protection situation, including arbitrary killings, abductions, conflict-related sexual violence, arbitrary arrests and detention, torture and ill-treatment, forced military recruitment and the looting and destruction of civilian property.