According to a study by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, violence against civilians by militias and security forces at the direction of the authorities has significantly increased over the past year (MINUSS). Although the government had announced investigations, Andrew Clapham, one of the investigators, stated that in most cases, investigations, charges, and judgments had not occurred. He believes that addressing impunity in our nation is essential.
In South Sudan, the figures on violence perpetrated against the civilian population are staggering: +79 percent civilian murders in 1 year, +464 percent kidnappings of women and children, and +360 percent sexual violence linked to conflict.
In a report published this week, investigators from the UN Human Rights Commission denounced the persistence of attacks against civilians and impunity.
With long-delayed elections slated for the next 18 months, the commission calls on the authorities in Juba to end impunity, one of its experts, Andrew Clapham, told Alexandra Brangeon: ” 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. »
“We also captured summary killings in County Mayong, carried out during a military operation directed by senior military and government authorities,” the speaker continues.
Similar to Leer, individuals in North Tong who committed these human rights atrocities went unpunished and are still in power. Despite government investigations being announced, most incidents did not result in indictments, convictions, or investigations.
Andrew Clapham concludes: “We believe that addressing impunity is essential if we are to end these violations and give stability and peace a chance. »
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 on March 7, 2023, the European Union imposed sanctions on two local South Sudanese leaders of pro-government militias, Gatluak Nyang Hoth and Gordon Koang Biel, for “systematic use of sexual abuse as a tactic of war”. Major General James Nando, the commander of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces and a perpetrator of sexual and gender-based violence in Tambura County in 2021, was sanctioned by British authorities on March 8.