A recent United Nations report presented to the Security Council revealed that 713 civilians were killed, 478 injured, and 252 abducted in South Sudan between February 16 and July 15, 2024. The report, which covers political, security, humanitarian, and human rights developments, also highlighted 272 arbitrary arrests and 12 unlawful detentions.
The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) documented 408 incidents of violence affecting 1,727 civilians, including 157 women and 184 children. The report attributes 76% of these incidents to community-based militias and civil defense groups, 28% to government security forces and other armed groups, and 6% to unidentified armed elements.
Additionally, 41 extrajudicial executions and 25 violations of civic and political rights involving 49 individuals were reportedly carried out by government security forces and local authorities. Cattle-related intercommunal violence, particularly in Jonglei and the tri-state border area of Warrap, Lakes, and Unity states, continues to pose a significant security threat.
The report welcomed ongoing political dialogues, such as the High Level Standing Committee forum in Juba and the Tumaini Initiative in Nairobi, which aims to include non-signatory groups in the peace process. The Tumaini Initiative, grounded in the Pan-African policy of African solutions to African challenges, seeks to ensure an inclusive and home-grown approach to peace.
However, the report also expressed concerns over the conflict in Sudan and its impact on neighboring South Sudan, particularly the strain on local communities due to the influx of over 700,000 returnees, refugees, and asylum-seekers.