The UN has issued an urgent call to end escalating violence in South Sudan, where hostilities have resulted in the deaths of at least 75 civilians and massive displacements. The UN human rights chief has expressed concerns over arbitrary detentions of key government officials and rising hate speech. With tensions high, all parties need to recommit to the 2018 peace agreement to protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian aid.
In a stark warning on recent hostilities in South Sudan, the United Nations has raised alarms about a deteriorating human rights situation. The UN’s human rights office reported on Friday an increase in violence, arbitrary arrests, and rising hate speech since February. At least 75 civilians lost their lives amid clashes involving South Sudan’s national army, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition, and their respective allied groups, resulting in large-scale civilian displacement.
Conflict has plagued South Sudan since 2013, birthed from discord between President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar. A power-sharing agreement was established in 2018, which, while fragile, was intended to ease tensions. However, according to Volker Türk, the UN human rights chief, the recent escalation of armed conflicts is “portending a real risk of further exacerbating the already dire human rights and humanitarian situation.” He urged all factions involved to “urgently pull back from the brink.”
Hostilities flared again in February when reports indicated that the White Army militia launched multiple attacks in the Upper Nile State. These tensions escalated substantially between May 3 and May 20, marked by indiscriminate airstrikes and military offenses carried out by the national army against SPLA-IO positions throughout Jonglei and Upper Nile states. Subsequently, on May 21, civilian displacements surged due to retaliatory strikes from SPLA-IO and its allies in Jonglei State.
Mr. Türk emphasized the importance of adhering to the 2018 peace agreement, urging the warring factions to better protect civilians and civilian structures, while also ensuring humanitarian access as mandated by international law. Reports of detention have raised additional concerns, as recent data indicate that from March 5 to March 26, at least 55 senior government officials linked to the SPLM-IP were arrested across the nation. These detainees include high-ranking individuals such as South Sudan’s first vice-president, various ministers, and several military officers.
“I am concerned that many of the detentions are arbitrary in nature,” Mr. Türk stated, highlighting that such arrests occurred without warrants or legal procedures. He called for the “immediate and unconditional” release of these prisoners, pressing authorities to allow UNMISS unrestricted access to National Security Service detention facilities to evaluate the welfare of detainees.
Furthermore, the UN has implored South Sudan’s authorities to take decisive and effective measures against the proliferation of hate speech throughout the country.
The UN is sounding the alarm over the troubling upswing in violence and human rights violations in South Sudan, calling on rival factions to adhere strictly to the 2018 peace agreement. No doubt, with civilians bearing the brunt of this conflict, urgent interventions are needed to prevent further humanitarian crises. The situation is precarious.
Original Source: news.un.org
