In the last six months more than 417,000 people have fled into Uganda. Photo Credit: AFP
A UN report into violence in South Sudan, has described grave human rights abuses, rapes, killings and serious violations of international humanitarian law – some possibly amounting to war crimes.
Based on the testimonies of victims and witnesses, the report into the violence in the capital Juba in July blames both government and opposition forces.
The cycle of violence began in South Sudan three years ago when President Salva Kiir and his former Vice President Riek Machar fell out, sparking a civil war largely along ethnic lines between the Dinka and the Nuer ethnic groups which the two men represent.
In the last six months more than 417,000 people (source UNHCR) have fled into neighbouring Uganda to avoid fighting.
United Nations human rights investigators found that civilians were deliberately targeted along ethnic lines, and that hundreds of people were killed during violence in the capital Juba in July.
Fighting between the mainly Nuer rebels and the mainly Dinka government troops left many more injured.
The UN documented more than 200 cases of rape and gang rape – Western aid workers were among the victims – and they described “extreme violence against women and children.”
Many atrocities have been carried out in South Sudan since the civil war began three years ago.
The UN report blamed both sides for these latest serious violations of human rights.
Fighting is continuing at various flashpoints across the country.
Senior UN staff have warned of ethnic cleansing and the potential for genocide. At least 4500,00 million people are now expected to need food aid over the next few months.
Source: BBC Africa
