According to the latest annual report on Violence Affecting Civilians from the United Nations peacekeeping mission there (UNMISS), violence against civilians in South Sudan rose by two per cent during 2022.

“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, UN Special Representative and Head of UNMISS.

The report says the overall levels of documented violent incidents rose by 27 per cent, from 714 recorded acts of violence in 2021, to 982 in 2022, which marked three distinct surges of violence. The UNMISS report said: 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.

In announcing the report’s findings, UNMISS urged all South Sudanese parties to focus on the prospects for sustainable peace, security, and peaceful, fair and inclusive elections.