Malakal

“Serious human rights violations” are continuing in South Sudan and are more serious than previously thought according to a visiting UN Human Rights Commission.

Civil conflict erupted in the African country three years ago leading to the deaths of thousands of people and forcing almost three million more to flee their homes.

During their 10-day visit, the team of three commissioners met with government officials and visited communities displaced by conflict in the capital Juba and the towns of Malakal, Bentiu and Wau.

Philip Wani reports from South Sudan.

People in South Sudan are expecting to see the “dividends of peace” now that a Transitional Government of National Unity is in place, the head of UN peacekeeping has said.

Hervé Ladsous arrived in the country’s capital Juba over the weekend to assess the progress since April when the new leaders were sworn-in and to take stock of the situation of civilians living on UN bases.

UN to investigate deadly incident at civilian site in South Sudan

An outbreak of inter-communal violence inside a large UN camp in South Sudan that left five dead, may constitute a war crime.

That’s according to the UN spokesperson for the UN mission in the country, UNMISS.

Ariane Quentier condemned the violence that erupted on Wednesday night inside the Malakal camp, which is sheltering nearly 50,000 people, made homeless during the on-going civil war.

The clashes involved Shilluk and Dinka youths.

Thousands of people fleeing violence and food insecurity in South Sudan have recently arrived at the UN’s Protection of Civilians site in Malakal, according to the UN mission in the country, UNMISS.

The site was built to protect around 18,000 people, but UNMISS says 46,000 individuals are now living within its walls.

Nearly 20 months of conflict between the president and former vice-president have created immense humanitarian needs across the youngest African nation.