UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Zainab Bangura, has added her voice to condemnation of the escalation of violence in South Sudan, in particular the sexual violence crimes being committed against women and girls.
In a statement issued in New York, Ms. Bangura called on Heads of State and Government of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to acknowledge the gravity of sexual violence, by requesting the South Sudanese authorities to take immediate measures to prevent their troops and associated militias from committing these crimes, and to take action against those responsible.
“IGAD should ensure that the military and political leadership of South Sudan moves beyond rhetoric and implement the commitments they have made in their 2013 communiques on preventing and responding to sexual violence crimes,” she stressed.
IGAD is an eight-country bloc in Africa comprising Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan and Uganda. The leaders of its member countries are meeting in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, for an extraordinary summit on the situation in South Sudan.
The UN envoy also emphasized that the bloc must use its leverage over the parties to this conflict to ensure that they immediately cease, prevent and decisively respond to serious crimes, including sexual violence.
“IGAD must clearly stress the need for accountability, in line with the Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan of August 2015,” she noted.
She also called on the conflict parties to stop their troops from committing such crimes, and on the Government of South Sudan to investigate the alleged violations and abuses and prosecute those found responsible.
“Amid the politics, we must not forget the survivors. The international community stands in solidarity with them and will spare no effort to ensure that they receive adequate care, assistance and livelihood support while ensuring that the perpetrators, irrespective of their ranks, are held accountable,” Ms. Bangura reiterated.
The situation in South Sudan was worsened after fighting broke out three weeks ago in and around the capital, Juba, between rival forces backing President Salva Kiir and First Vice-President Riek Machar.
The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Monday condemned reports of widespread sexual violence, including rape and gang rape, of women and young girls, by soldiers and unidentified armed men in the country.
UNMISS also stressed that such acts constitute grave violations of international human rights law and may be regarded as war crimes and crimes against humanity.
UNMISS Human Rights and Women Protection Advisers said they have continued to document human rights violations, and stated that there had been more than 100 separate cases of sexual violence and rape against unarmed innocent civilians, including gang rapes and sexual abuse of minors since the July conflict outbreak.
When completed, the reports will be forwarded for follow-up action to the UN Secretary-General, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Office of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict.
Since the fighting erupted in the capital, Juba, on 8 July, the UN has continued to receive reports of inhumane behavior, despite calls to all parties for its cessation.
