UN Commission Report: South Sudan’s Leaders Fueling Violence and Impunity

The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan reports that the country’s leaders are fueling violence and human rights violations. A recent investigation highlights patterns of impunity and corruption linked to political and military elites, imperiling the nation’s political transition. The report also emphasizes the critical need for reforms and accountability to foster peace and stability.

The recent report by the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan indicates that the nation’s political leaders must confront the widespread issues of impunity and corruption that perpetuate gross human rights violations, threatening South Sudan’s political transition. This 24-page report was presented to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, alongside a concise summary detailing key findings. Chair Yasmin Sooka remarked, “It is unconscionable that so many years after its independence, and despite their peace commitments, political leaders continue their violent contestations across the country, and are abjectly failing the people of South Sudan.”

The Commission’s findings, based on investigations conducted throughout 2024, reveal that political and military elites are instigating violence and chaos. The report highlights grave circumstances in Tambura, where armed forces and militias have wrought havoc on civilians, deepening ethnic divisions that emerged from the 2021 conflict. Persistent sexual violence, combined with the forced recruitment of children into combat or sexual slavery, underscores a systematic failure to protect South Sudan’s future generation.

Commissioner Barney Afako noted the critical link between human rights violations and the pervasive lack of accountability within governance structures. He explained that insufficient governance and misallocation of national resources hinder the establishment of credible institutions. The report emphasizes the importance of fulfilling commitments from the Revitalized Peace Agreement.

An extension of two years was granted to the Revitalized Agreement, beginning this month. Commissioner Afako advised that this period should not be wasted, stressing that it is an opportunity to implement vital elements, including a permanent constitution, essential for achieving lasting peace. The Commission’s report also highlighted the significant government revenues generated from oil, reaching approximately $3.5 billion between September 2022 and August 2024, despite ongoing national underdevelopment.

The introduction of the controversial “Green Book” state law in Warrap, which permits extrajudicial killings, has further entrenched a culture of lawlessness. The Commission warns that the law selectively targets specific communities, impeding justice and perpetuating cycles of violence. Commissioner Carlos Castresana Fernández expressed that urgent support for Warrap’s judiciary is needed to avoid continued violence.

The Commissioners visited South Sudan last week, where they engaged with survivors of human rights violations. Chairperson Sooka reiterated the immense challenges posed by entrenched repression and the government’s neglect of essential institutions, including courts and healthcare systems. The Commission demands immediate action to address these pervasive issues, emphasizing the dire need for reform.

In conclusion, the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan’s latest report reveals alarming patterns of human rights violations, including sexual violence and extrajudicial killings, perpetuated by political and military elites. The findings underscore the urgent need for accountability and effective governance to address the systemic issues of corruption and impunity. The extension of the Revitalized Peace Agreement presents a crucial opportunity for leadership to implement necessary reforms and establish sustainable peace in South Sudan.

Original Source: reliefweb.int