A google map of Warrap State in South Sudan.
Warrap State leads in civilian deaths in 2024, accounting for 60% of casualties from communal violence, according to the UN quarterly report.
Communal violence remains the leading cause of conflict in
South Sudan, significantly impacting civilians. From July to September 2024,
UNMISS documented 206 violent incidents affecting 792 civilians, including 299
killed, 310 injured, 151 abducted, and 32 subjected to conflict-related sexual
violence (CRSV).
“While 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.
Most of these victims were men,” the report reads.
Despite a 4% decrease in violent incidents compared to the
same period in 2023, the total number of victims increased by 24%. Notably,
while civilian deaths decreased by 7% (from 321 to 299), injuries rose by 34%
(from 231 to 310).
Abductions and Conflict-related sexual violence increased by
132% (from 65 to 151) and 33% (from 24 to 32), respectively, compared to the
previous year.
On a more positive note, compared to the April-June 2024
period, violent incidents dropped by 35% (from 317 to 206), and civilian
casualties decreased by 25% (from 1,062 to 792).
Given the ongoing communal violence in Warrap State, which
has made it the leading state in civilian deaths, the Chairperson of the Tonj
Youth Union in Juba called for collective action in December to end the
insecurity and violence in the state.
Nicholas Haysom, the Secretary-General’s Special
Representative and Head of UNMISS, who authored the report, noted that tensions
between Government security forces and National Salvation Front splinter groups
continue to threaten security and civilian protection across the Greater
Equatoria region.
These tensions undermine the terms of the Cessation of
Hostilities agreement and result in casualties, abductions, and sexual
violence.
“This trend of increasing violence against women and
abductions is alarming. 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,” said Haysom.
“Vitally, I urge the
Government of South Sudan to swiftly investigate human rights violations and
abuses and hold all perpetrators to account.”