Conflicts between the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO (RM)) and related armed militias/groups, on the one hand, and supporters of former vice president Riek Machar on the other resulted in violations.

The report covers the period from 11 February to 31 May, based on 32 verification missions carried out by UNMISS in the counties of Koch, Leer, and Mayendit, as well as in surrounding regions.

Around 44,000 individuals have been displaced from at least 26 villages due to the violence and raids.

Along with the casualties, fighting in southern Unity State has damaged at least 28 villages and settlements, resulting in about 12 injuries and kidnapping of 37 women and children.

Gruesome sexual attacks

Many abductees, including girls as young as eight, experienced sexual violence.

There have been 131 incidences of rape and gang rape reported, including the death by the gang rape of a nine-year-old girl.

UNMISS identified the primary offenders of the human rights violations and abuses as joint Government troops and affiliated militias/groups that operated under the direction of officials of Koch and Mayendit counties.

Attacks were also carried out by the SPLM/A-IO (RM) in Koch County’s Mirmir Payam.

According to Nicholas Haysom, Head of Mission for the Secretary-General, human rights abuses were being committed without consequence: “The Government is duty-bound under international law to protect civilians, investigate claims of human rights abuses, and hold suspected perpetrators accountable in accordance with fair trial standards.”

Analysis by: Advocacy Unified Network