ACCOUNTABILITY FOR RIGHTS ABUSES IN SOUTH SUDAN ‘MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER,’ SAYS SENIOR UN OFFICIAL

A lack of accountability for crimes perpetrated during the ongoing conflict in South Sudan remains one of the country’s “biggest challenges,” the Human Rights Director for the United Nations Mission (UNMISS) said.

Violence earlier in April led to the death of 19 Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) soldiers and at least 28 civilians, according to State officials. The killing of civilians in Wau town followed the ambush and killing of the SPLA soldiers by suspected SPLA-In Opposition fighters. According to a news release, the Human Rights Division of UNMISS has interviewed 43 individuals, including eight women and two children, from April 11, to collect information about alleged human rights violations perpetrated by government forces and aligned armed groups in Wau town on April 10.

“I can confirm that, as of Sunday, nobody is being detained in connection with this attack against civilians,” said Eugene Nindorera.

“I talked to victims and witnesses and was shaken to hear their testimonies of how they had to flee their houses after being attacked. It’s more important than ever before that people are held accountable for the crimes they have committed.”