Juba, South Sudan
August 8, 2022 –— United Nation Mission in South Sudan said Government forces and the forces of the main armed opposition group SPLA (IO) are responsible for 38% of conflict-related casualties in the second quarter of this year 2022.
In a statement extended to Nyamilepdia, the UNMISS states that the Government forces and the SPLA (IO) are depending on allied militias to spearhead the conflict.
The report stated that cases of conflict-related sexual violence are very rampant, notwithstanding the fact that the violence has reduced across the country compared to previous years.
UNMISS’s latest report indicates that violence in South Sudan reduced significantly but sexual violence cases are still on rise.
The Human Rights report released by UNMISS covers the second quarter of this year 2022, which has recorded 922 civilian casualties, a 15 percent decrease in victims compared with the same period in 2021.
The increase is 218 % in conflict-related sexual violence – rape and gang-rape, among other forms of sexual violence linked to conflict – during this quarter.
“The exponential surge in sexual and gender-based violence is completely unacceptable, impacting most severely on the women and girls. UNMISS said this violence that divides communities and hampers reconciliation needs to end,” said Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Nicholas Haysom.
UNMISS is encouraging the authorities to ensure accountability and access to justice for survivors and victims, through a range of special and mobile courts such as the adjudication of rape trials through a General Court Martial process in Yei, Central Equatoria State.
