Minister of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism Rezik Zechariah Hassan disembarks from a plane to greet Unity State governor Dr. Joseph Nguen Manytuil (from left) upon arrival in Bentiu. (Photo: Office of Governor Manytuil).

The Fact-Finding Committee of the Leer incident, formed by President Kiir last year, arrived in Unity State capital Bentiu, to probe the violence that ravaged southern of the state.

A statement from the office of Unity State Governor mentioned that Dr. Joseph Manytuil received the Fact-Finding Committee of Leer Incident led by Minister of Wild Life and Tourism, Rezik Zechariah Hassan.

The committee was formed by President Salva Kiir Mayardit last year to find out the root cause of the February 2022 conflict in Southern Unity.

It will travel to areas affected by the conflict in Koch, Leer, and Mayendit counties to meet with the chiefs, women, and youth representatives.

It will also meet with victims to listen to their voices and compile the report.

After that, it will give recommendations to President Salva Kiir.

Governor Manytuil reportedly briefed the team on the general security situation in Unity State and most especially in the areas affected by the conflict.

He reportedly described the situation as normal and peaceful, except for the dire humanitarian situation triggered by the four years of flooding.

According to a report by UNMISS, some 181 people are believed to have been killed, including 23 children in the violence in Leer, south of the oil-rich state in April 2022.

The report also recorded 101 reported incidents of sexual violence, 26 women and children having been abducted and approximately 40,000 people fled their homes.

Last month, the UN Commission on Human Rights said it has documented widespread attacks against civilians in several states, including southern Unity State where it says government officials led attacks.

It also said conflicts in Upper Nile State and northern parts of Jonglei State, have involved multiple armed groups, with minimal response from the government, despite widespread attacks against the civilian population.