Обстановка в Південному Судані небезпечна через зростання вбивств, повідомляє ООН.

GENEVA, Feb 27 (Reuters) - South Sudan is experiencing a dangerous escalation in violence, with an increase in killings putting the fragile peace agreement at risk, according to the United Nations' human rights chief. This warning follows accusations from Western nations that military-affiliated groups were responsible for carrying out a massacre.

Rising Killings in Jonglei State

On February 21, at least 16 people were killed in the eastern state of Jonglei by “unruly elements from the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces soldiers,” as reported by Nyamar Ngundeng, the South Sudan Information Minister. The government, however, denied that soldiers intentionally targeted civilians, acknowledging that individuals might have been caught in crossfire during ongoing violence in the region, which borders Ethiopia.

Background: Civil War and the Fragile Peace Deal

In 2018, a peace agreement was signed, bringing an end to a five-year civil war between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those aligned with First Vice President Riek Machar. The conflict resulted in nearly 400,000 deaths in South Sudan, the world’s youngest country. Despite the peace deal, territorial disputes and internal rivalries have continued to destabilize the country. Political unrest increased last year when Machar was suspended from his position and charged with being involved in militia raids in the northeastern part of the country. Machar, along with 20 others, denies the charges.

Growing Concern Over Human Rights Violations

Volker Turk, head of the U.N. Human Rights Office, highlighted a worrying rise in violence, noting that 189 civilians were killed in January alone. Human rights violations also surged by 45% compared to the previous month. Turk emphasized the dangerous combination of escalating violence and South Sudan's uncertain political future, which is severely straining the peace agreement.

Massacre in Jonglei

Regarding the February 21 violence in Jonglei, Turk updated the death toll, stating that witnesses reported soldiers ordering civilians to gather before opening fire, killing at least 21 unarmed individuals, including children. Turk pointed out the collapse of military discipline on both sides in Jonglei and Eastern Equatoria, with forces showing little regard for civilian safety. He noted that troops from both government and opposition factions had failed to protect civilians.

Attacks on Residential Areas

Turk also detailed how government forces, opposition groups, and allied militias have been targeting residential areas in several states, including Upper Nile, Unity, Central Equatoria, Western Bahr el Ghazal, Western Equatoria, and Warrap. These attacks have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the country, further destabilizing regions already grappling with violence.

International Response

On Thursday, a joint statement from Western powers, including the United States, European Union, and the United Kingdom, condemned the violence. The statement expressed horror at credible reports of a deliberate massacre of civilians in the Jonglei village of Pankor, condemning the military actions that led to these killings.

Government's Denial of Intentional Killings

In response to these accusations, South Sudan’s government spokesperson Ateny Wek denied that the military had intentionally targeted civilians. Wek clarified that any civilian casualties that occurred were the result of individuals being caught in the crossfire, reiterating that the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) had no intention to harm civilians. The government emphasized that its forces were engaged in efforts to protect the country’s stability and that the violence was not a result of deliberate targeting of innocent people.

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