By Staff Writer
Civilians in South Sudan continue to bear the devastating brunt of persistent violence.
According to documented in 2024, annual brief released by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), there is a concerning surge in both the number of victims harmed and incidents of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV).
The UNMISS report released on Thursday reveals a stark 51 percent increase in civilians harmed by conventional parties to the conflict and other armed groups in 2024 compared to the previous year.
Similarly alarming is the similar rise in documented incidents of conflict-related sexual violence.
Between January and December 2024, UNMISS documented a total of 1,019 violent incidents, directly affecting 3,657 civilians. This included 1,561 killed, 1,299 injured, 551 abducted, and 246 subjected to conflict-related sexual violence.
These figures represent a 15 per cent increase in violent incidents (from 885 in 2023) and a nine per cent increase in the number of victims (from 3,340 in 2023).
The report highlights that armed communal violence perpetrated by community-based militias and/or civil defense groups remained the primary driver of harm against civilians, accounting for a staggering 79 per cent of all victims.
Geographically, Warrap State recorded the highest number of civilian deaths and injuries, while Western Equatoria State documented the highest incidence of sexual violence.
The majority of abduction cases occurred in Central Equatoria State, primarily attributed to alleged members of National Salvation Front splinter groups, followed by Jonglei State, where Murle armed elements were allegedly responsible.
Nicholas Haysom, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative to South Sudan and Head of UNMISS, emphasized the urgent need for action.
“Protecting civilians and preventing violence requires urgent action by authorities at the national, state and local levels as well as by communities to address the root causes of conflict and find non-violent solutions. Promoting dialogue, reconciliation, and social cohesion is critical to defusing tensions and building trust,” he stated.
The UN Mission stressed that the Government of South Sudan holds the primary responsibility for protecting its civilian population and called upon national and state authorities to implement effective measures to end the ongoing violence, de-escalate tensions, and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable for their crimes.
UNMISS reported its continued efforts to support civilian protection through thousands of peacekeeping patrols conducted by land, air, and river annually.
The Mission also actively supports community-led initiatives aimed at promoting reconciliation and peacebuilding through dialogue.
Furthermore, UNMISS remains engaged in assisting political and peace processes, including security and justice sector reform, constitution-making, and preparations for upcoming elections.
Despite these efforts, the significant increase in civilian harm underscores the persistent challenges in ensuring the safety and security of the population amidst ongoing sub-national conflicts.
The UNMISS report serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of the violence and the urgent need for concerted efforts to break the cycle of conflict in South Sudan.