Displaced persons from Fashoda County camp in Kodok area. December 2022 (Photo: Courtesy.)

At least 594 civilians were killed during a cycle of violent conflicts in which “serious” atrocities were perpetrated by armed groups in the Upper Nile region between August and December 2022, a United Nations inquiry has documented.

The report was jointly published by the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Friday, December 1, 2023.

It contains findings of investigations into human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law during the confrontations between armed factions that broke away from the SPLM/A IO of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar.

According to the report, the warring parties are the Kitgwang faction of General Simon Gatwech and the Agwelek Forces of General Johnson Olony, as well as their respective militia groups along the White Nile Corridor.

“The nature of the violence carried out by both groups appears to indicate that the purpose of the attacks was not only to drive out opponents from some of the localities, but also to attack and displace civilians from their homes and loot their properties,” the investigation reads in parts.

UNMISS says it has reasonable grounds to believe that “both parties committed” gross violations and abuses of international human rights law, and serious violations of international humanitarian law.

“Following the initial clashes that erupted in Panyikang on 10 August 2022, and the subsequent fighting in Tonga, as well as in Diel and New Fangak, UNMISS documented that both parties attacked several villages between August and December 2022.”

“During the five-month period, violence between these parties, resulted in at least 884 civilian casualties: 594 were killed (366 men, 136 women, 73 boys and 19 girls) and 290 injured (249 men, 39 women, one boy and one girl).

The investigation further said at least 258 civilians were abducted comprising 108 women, 80 girls, 42 boys and 28 men, while 43 women and 32 girls were subjected to sexual violence.

An estimated 62,000 civilians have been displaced from their homes since the beginning of the clashes as tens of thousands taking refuge at both Malakal PoC site Kodok, among others, UNMISS said.

UNMISS Human Rights Division further identified at least 22 men who may bear the greatest responsibility for violations committed during this period.

The investigation strongly urges the government to address what it terms as persistent lack of accountability for violations and abuses of international human rights law and violations of international humanitarian law, “some of which may amount to crimes under international and national law, and to provide justice and reparation to victims, and assistance to the affected population.”

“Under international law, the Government of South Sudan has the obligation to investigate serious violations of international humanitarian law and gross human rights abuses and violations and to hold perpetrators accountable within fair judicial proceedings.”

UNMISS and OHCHR also call upon international partners to support local and international humanitarian organizations to provide “adequate legal, medical, and psychosocial assistance to the survivors of human rights violations and abuses.”

The South Sudan government spokesperson was not immediately available to respond to the UN report.