Aug. 3 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The United Nations mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has warned of an increase in kidnappings in the Yei region of South Sudan and has called for the “immediate and unconditional” release of at least 134 people believed to be in captivity, according to reports received by the agency in July.
“Both children and adults held captive must be released immediately and unconditionally. These incidents not only violate international human rights and humanitarian law, but also have a devastating impact on communities, creating fear and uncertainty,” said mission head Nicholas Haysom.
In a statement released on Friday, the organization has pointed directly to the National Salvation Front (NAS) “and other armed elements” as the alleged perpetrators of the kidnappings in this region of the state of Equatoria, in the south of the country.
According to UNMISS, in July they received reports of up to 12 cases, in which there were 134 victims, including six children, who are exposed to risks such as “recruitment (…) in armed conflicts, sexual violence, trafficking and other forms of exploitation.”
The mission has therefore urged the Government of South Sudan to investigate these kidnappings “immediately” and to “remind the parties involved of their human rights obligations”, referring to the clashes between South Sudanese security forces and organised armed groups.
The UN official also called on all parties concerned to take measures to prevent kidnappings, “a constant threat to security and (…) peace”, and to “swiftly” bring the perpetrators to justice.
The mission has recorded 328 injuries, 70 abductions and 47 victims of conflict-related sexual violence in the first three months of the year, representing a 24 percent increase in violent incidents compared to the same period in 2023.
South Sudan has a unity government that came into being after the 2018 peace deal between President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar, which resulted in the latter returning to the post of First Vice President of the African country.
Despite a decline in violence due to political conflict, the country has seen an increase in inter-community clashes, mainly motivated by cattle rustling and disputes between herders and farmers in the most fertile areas of the country, particularly due to increasing desertification and population displacement.
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