UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, , Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, , Executive Director of UN Women, Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide and Special Advisor on the Responsibility to Protect appeal to the Security Council, African Union or AU, Inter-Governmental Authority on Development or IGAD to reinforce engagements with South Sudan warring parties to stop further violations of international human rights and humanitarian law and move the peace mediation process forward.
In a joint statement, Zainab Hawa Bangura, Leila Zerrougui, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Adama Dieng and Jennifer Welsh say it is the collective responsibility of the international community to take decisive steps to end the protracted suffering of South Sudanese people especially women and children.
The UN Specialists say they are deeply concerned about escalating violence against the civil population in the country.
They express shock at the large scale, widespread nature of the violations and abuses of human rights including extra judicial killings, abduction of women and children, rape, recruitment and use of children in army, looting and destruction of property.
The officials note with concern that the fighting has exacerbated the already dire economic and humanitarian situation by reducing access to aid.
They remind the political and military leadership of government and SPLM/A in Opposition of their responsibilities to ensure full protection of the civil population.
The UN Special Representatives believe that a sustainable solution to South Sudan crisis can only be found through inclusive dialogue for accountability critical to obtaining lasting peace and fostering reconciliation among communities.