Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Barnaba Marial

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it will respond to UNMISS’ interim report on the human rights situation in South Sudan which was presented to the United Nations Security Council last week.

The 21-page cites several witnesses who reported the deliberate targeting of both national and foreign civilians in extrajudicial and other unlawful killings, including mass killings, enforced disappearances, gender based violence, ill treatments and torture by the forces allied to the two rivals engaged in the conflict.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, says the government is aware of the UN report and that he will submit a reply to the UN.

“We are studying it and, as a member of the United Nations, we are obliged to respond to it and that is what we are already doing,” Dr Marial told reporters in Juba yesterday.

According to UNMISS, a more comprehensive public report on human right violations and the ongoing crisis in the country will be released in April.

Dr. Barnaba reiterated that his government is committed to the IGAD peace process taking place in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

Dr. Marial urged the S-P-L-M-SPLA- in Opposition to stop, he said, violating of the cessation of hostilities agreement.

He also urged the international community to give humanitarian assistance to the people who have been displaced in various areas in South Sudan as a result of the conflict.