Inquiry into South Sudan violence against UN-protected civilians begins

The United Nations has sent its Independent Special Investigation team to South Sudan to review reports of attacks and sexual violence cases against civilians under UN protection in July 2016.

In honouring their promise to look into the violence, the UN-select team led by Major General (ret) Patrick Cammaert of The Netherlands landed in the country on Friday and has started work to “determine whether the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, responded appropriately to prevent and stop these incidents and to protect civilians, within its resources and capabilities at the time”.

A UN statement said the investigation team will also review the Mission’s response to the attack on the Terrain Hotel of 11th July.

It is expected to submit its report within one month.

Hundreds of civilians died between July 8 and 25 when violence broke in the country and more than 217 incidents of sexual and gender-based violence, including rape and gang rapes of minors and women were recorded at various locations in Juba.

Days of violence in the country between rival forces of President Salva Kiir and former rebel leader and recently relieved vice president Riek Machar have caused the displacement of thousands of people in the country.

The South Sudanese government has agreed to the deployment of a United Nations protection force made up of troops from the East African region.