South Sudan Newsletter

(13 December 2018)

This report is based on the work of internationally trained local monitors on the ground in South Sudan working for a national human rights organization. Both the monitors and the organization must remain anonymous given present security concerns. The information reported herein meets the threshold for initiating an investigation. We believe that there is a reasonable basis to believe that the following incidents occurred.

Introduction

South Sudan has seen widespread human rights abuses and crimes since the conflict broke out in December 2013, two years after its independence. Since the beginning of the conflict, violence has escalated at an alarming rate across the country, resulting in widespread killings, rapes, extensive property damage and looting of civilian property. Clashes continue to occur despite several peace agreements to end the civil war having been signed and sanctions having being imposed by international actors. This report analyzes the frequency of serious human rights abuses and crimes against civilians that have been documented by local monitors working anonymously in multiple locations around the country. Despite signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CHA), which took effect on December 24, 2017, all parties to the conflict have violated the CHA on numerous occasions.

The most recent peace agreement, signed in September, sets out the return of rebel leader Riek Machar (Machar) to the government as one of the five vice presidents and promises ceasefire. South Sudan’s citizens remain both hopeful and doubtful that peace will prevail. Regardless, the end of the conflict has yet to materialize.

Full report:  South Sudan Newsletter.