South Sudan: four years on, UN marks 'grim' independence anniversary amid ongoing conflict

8 July 2015 – The people of South Sudan are preparing to mark the fourth anniversary of their country's founding amid ongoing suffering, unconscionable levels of violence and unspeakable sexual abuse, according to United Nations Secretary-General^[1] Ban Ki-moon.

In a statement^[2] issued earlier today and ahead of the country's milestone – which will officially be observed on 9 July – the Secretary-General recalled the sense of joy and hope felt across South Sudan in the early days of 2011 as it became the world's youngest nation – a stark contrast to today's reality when hope across the African state remains “in short supplyAll parties to the conflict must know that those responsible for serious human rights violations will be held accountable for their actions..”

The security situation in South Sudan has deteriorated steadily over the past year since political in-fighting between President Salva Kiir and his former Vice-President, Riek Machar, and their respective factions erupted in December 2013. The hostilities subsequently turned into a full-fledged conflict, resulting in reported atrocities and possible war crimes.

According to the latest estimates released by the UN refugee agency, more than 730,000 people have fled into neighbouring countries such as Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya and Sudan, which has seen the highest arrival rate this year. Meanwhile, another 1.5 million remain internally displaced, often relocated to increasingly overcrowded 'protection-of-civilians' sites run by the UN's Mission in South Sudan, also known as UNMISS.

“The violence that has ravaged South Sudan over the past 18 months proves that there can never be a military solution to this conflict. I therefore call on all leaders of South Sudan – particularly President Kiir and former Vice-President Riek Machar – to prove their leadership by investing in a political solution and immediately concluding a comprehensive peace agreement,” Mr. Ban declared. “At the same time, the international community must take decisive steps to help end the fighting.”

“Political leaders on both sides must make unequivocal public statements that the targeting of civilians will not be tolerated. All parties to the conflict must know that those responsible for serious human rights violations will be held accountable for their actions,” he added.

To that point, the Secretary-General reaffirmed the UN's commitment to support a political solution while continuing to make every effort to provide vulnerable populations with protection and humanitarian assistance. This latter task, he stated, was all the more critical as “brave and dedicated” humanitarian workers and UN staff continued to operate in “dangerous and dire conditions.”

“It is important that we show the parties a single way forward, with the full support of the region and the international community,” he continued. “Peace, development and human rights are the birthright of all the people of South Sudan. The promise of a new nation that they celebrated four years ago must finally be redeemed.”

Meanwhile, addressing a press briefing yesterday in Geneva, spokesperson Adrian Edwards, of teh Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR^[3]) warned reporters that political efforts to bring an end to the conflict had so far failed and that the outlook for the affected populations remained “grim.”

“This is a volatile and insecure situation which prevents humanitarian access,” Mr. Edwards declared. “Ongoing hostilities and a reported increase in human rights violations and abuses have contributed to additional displacement.”

The UN agency spokesperson added that recent weeks had seen an escalation in violence across South Sudan's Unity and Upper Nile states, with heavy fighting reportedly forcing tens of thousands of people to flee to the bush, swamplands and other “difficult to reach” areas.

In addition, reported^[4] atrocities – including the alleged raping and immolation of women and girls – have further contributed to the massive displacement of South Sudanese populations.

Humanitarian efforts aimed at helping those affected by the surge in fighting have also been impeded by funding shortfalls.

UNHCR has explained that its refugee assistance programmes – launched in collaboration with 38 other partners – are currently requesting $810 million but remain only funded at 13 per cent.

At this rate, the agency has noted, resources remain insufficient to provide adequate food and water rations and health services to hundreds of thousands of South Sudanese.

References

1. ^{^} Secretary-General (www.un.org)
2. ^{^} statement (www.bing.com)
3. ^{^} UNHCR (www.unhcr.org)
4. ^{^} reported (www.un.org)