UN says over 3,400 civilians killed in South Sudan in 2022

JUBA, MARCH 17, 2023 (SUDANS POST) — At least 3,469 civilians were killed in South Sudan between January and December 2022, according to a report released Tuesday by the United Nations.

A human rights report published by United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has documented increase in the number of civilians killed across South Sudan in 2022, despite a 27 percent decrease of violent incidents 2021. 

The brief covering the period from January to December 2022, registered at least 3,469 civilian victims affected mostly by killing, injury, abduction, and conflict-related sexual violence. 

The report reveals that while the number of violent incidents attributed to the parties to the conflict declined by 37 per cent in comparison to 2021, the number of victims increased by 58 per cent from 1,057 in 2021 to 1,674 in 2022.

It said as for the violent incidents attributed to community-based militias or civil-defense groups, the number declined by 27 per cent from 531 to 387 and the number of victims decreased by 28 per cent from 2,279 to 1,642.

It recorded three distinct surges of violence in 2022 between April and May, in southern Unity State; between July and September, in Warrap State; and between August and December, in the Greater Upper Nile region.

It said that 42 percent of South Sudanese who suffered from violent conflict were in Upper Nile and Warrap states, Jonglei, Unity, Eastern Equatoria and Central Equatoria states.

According to the brief report, Eastern Equatoria, Jonglei and Warrap states were mostly affected by violence involving community-based militias or civil defense groups. 

“UNMISS calls on the Government of South Sudan to demonstrate political will and step up efforts against impunity, investigate human rights violations and abuses and hold perpetrators accountable, particularly as deadly violence remains an issue of grave concern in parts of the country,” says Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS.

The UN Peacekeeping mission also urges all South Sudanese parties to focus on the prospects for sustainable peace, security, and peaceful, fair and inclusive elections.