By Otto Abut
United Nations Mission in South Sudan or UNMISS latest report on civilian casualties says cases of conflict related sexual violence are more than double compared to last year, despite decrease in violence against civilians in the country.
The report, compiled by UNMISS’ Human Rights Division, observes that inter-communal violence, particularly cattle-related conflict, was concentrated in areas where communities compete for scarce resources exacerbated by climate change.
Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Nicholas Haysom, disclosed that UNMISS will step up its efforts on tackling conflict-related sexual violence in South Sudan.
He said UNMISS is supporting efforts to promote protection, rule of law and accountability, through the rapid deployment of temporary operating bases.
Haysom noted that they also support mobile courts by delivering specialized training on the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence.
He urges the government of South Sudan to investigate human rights violations and abuses and hold all perpetrators to account.
The Special Representative encourages swift and full implementation of the agreement on a unified command and control structure, graduation and deployment of unified forces.
He says this will enable South Sudan’s security sector to carry out the government’s primary responsibility to protect civilians.