Sexual related conflict up in South Sudan -UNMISS

Sexual violence-related cases in the country has more than doubled in the last year, says a UNMISS report.

While the UN body noted that there has been a significant decrease in violence against civilians in South Sudan, rape and other sexual vices have been on the increase.

According to UNMISS, 63 cases of conflict-related sexual offences were reported between January to March 2022 compared to 28 recorded during the same period last year.

According to UNMISS, civil defence groups and militias accounted for the majority of violence against civilians (64 per cent), followed by conventional parties to the conflict (34 per cent). The majority of violence was associated with inter- or intra-communal forms of conflict, particularly in Jonglei, Eastern Equatoria, and Warrap states.

The report highlighted that inter-communal violence, particularly animal-related conflict, was concentrated in areas where communities compete for scarce resources exacerbated by climate change.

The 2021 floods have further contributed to food insecurity and disruption of livelihoods.

Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Nicholas Haysom, said UNMISS will step up its efforts on tackling conflict-related sexual violence in the country.

The mission supports efforts to promote protection, rule of law and accountability, through the rapid deployment of temporary operating bases, support to mobile courts, and delivering specialised training on the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence.

From January to March 2022, the Mission maintained six temporary operating bases in conflict hotspots and conducted 1,002 short distance patrols; 75 long-distance patrols and 93 air patrols.