Nicholas Haysom, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and head of UNMISS during a press conference on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 | Courtesy of UNMISS

Communal violence remains the primary driver of conflict in South Sudan with 299 civilians killed and 151 abducted between July and September 2024, the UN Mission in the country said.

In its latest brief, UNMISS said it documented violence exacting a heavy toll on civilians across the country in the third quarter of 2024.

The peacekeeping mission’s Human Rights Division documented 206 incidents affecting 792 civilians, of which 299 were killed, 310 injured, 151 abducted and 32 subjected to conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV).

Despite a four percent decrease in violent incidents (from 215 to 206) compared to the same reporting period in 2023, the total number of victims increased by 24 percent (from 641 to 792), the brief said.

UNMISS added that while the number of civilians killed reduced by seven percent (from 321 to 299) in comparison with the same period in 2023, injury statistics rose by 34 percent.

The report particularly raises concerns on the steep increase of abductions and Conflict-Related Sexual violence (CRSV) in comparison to the same timeframe in 2023.

In comparison with the April-June 2024 brief, UNMISS said the latest report shows a 35 percent reduction in violent incidents and a 25 per cent decrease in civilian casualties.

“This trend of increasing violence against women and abductions is alarming,” said Nicholas Haysom, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Head of UNMISS.

“While UNMISS continues to proactively protect civilians, I call for concerted efforts by national, state and local authorities, as well as community leaders to resolve longstanding grievances and find locally sustainable solutions to conflict drivers.”

“Vitally, I urge the Government of South Sudan to swiftly investigate human rights violations and abuses and hold all perpetrators to account.”

Meanwhile, the highest number of victims killed and injured were documented in Warrap State, accounting for 60 percent of the total number of civilian casualties.

The majority of abductions took place in Central Equatoria State, constituting 69 percent of all documented abductions in the country.

It added that tensions between government security forces, and National Salvation Front splinter groups continue to threaten security and protection of civilians across the Greater Equatoria region, countering the terms of the Cessation of Hostilities signed by both parties.

– Central Equatoria State –

In October 2024, assailants launched a mid-night attack in Wonduruba Payam in Central Eqautoria, where they dragged male juveniles out of their homes, butchered them with machetes and left their bodies lying on the road and bushes.

The incident occurred after alleged fighting between rival factions of the National Salvation Front (NAS) in the outskirts of the area, and shortly after visiting Central Equatorial Governor Augustino Jadalla left for Yei.

The state government later disclosed that 19 people were killed in different attacks including the killing of 9 young boda-boda riders in Ganj Payam of Juba County, while pledging to identify and prosecute culprits behind the incidents.

UNMISS said at the time it was alarmed by interconnected attacks involving armed groups in the Greater Juba area of Central Equatoria state, which claimed the lives of 24 people, including 19 civilians.

On October 18, four people were killed by armed men who indiscriminately opened fire at a market in Kajo-Keji County of Central Equatoria State, according to the commissioner.

– Warrap State – 

On 12th October, 20 people were killed and 38 others wounded during an inter-communal fighting in Tonj North County, an official said, adding that the government struggled to contain the situation.

The state Minister of Information Willam Wol Mayom said the violence erupted between two sections of the Lou community in Alebek Payam of Tonj North.

He said the fighting was triggered by some criminal elements who had returned to the area and incited armed youth to fight each other.

– Upper Nile State –

In October 16, at least 17 people were killed during heavy fighting between armed civilians and South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF) in Nasir County of Upper Nile State, authorities said.

SSPDF spokesperson Maj. General Lul Ruai later confirmed that 13 soldiers were among 17 killed in the heavy fighting, which according to him, has no political connection and was triggered by an “adulterous” relationship.

Lul said the intense violence revolved around a married woman who allegedly engaged in a relationship outside of marriage with one of two SSPDF servicemen. He added an investigation is ongoing to examine how the matter escalated into armed confrontations that left more than a dozen dead.