JUBA, South Sudan

A new United Nations Mission in South Sudan report reveals a grim toll of violence in the country between January and March 2025, with 739 civilians killed, 679 injured, 149 abducted, and 40 victims of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV).

The report documents 1,607 victims in the first quarter of this year, the highest number in any three months since 2020.

Compared to the same quarter in 2024, there was a 76% increase in victims (913 to 1,607), a 58% increase in killings (468 to 739), and a 107% increase in injuries (328 to 679).

According to the report, Warrap State had the highest number of civilians affected, with 428 deaths and 298 injuries, followed by Central Equatoria, which saw a 260% increase in victims and the most abductions.

“The number of child victims increased sharply from 114 to 171. Women and girls continued to be disproportionately affected by CRSV and other acts of sexual and gender-based violence, together accounting for 98 percent of documented victims.”

It said that most victims were attributed to community-based militias or civil defense groups (66%), while unidentified, opportunistic armed elements were responsible for 22%.

“Conventional parties to the armed conflict and other armed groups were responsible for 15 percent of victims, marking a concerning increase of 27 percent (from 152 to 193).”

It said the escalation of armed confrontations involving these parties and groups severely undermined the protection of civilians and resulted in violations and abuses of human rights and international humanitarian law.

“It is the primary responsibility of the government to protect civilians and prevent conflicts, which continue to cause immense harm to communities across the country,” said Guang Cong, deputy special representative to the secretary-general of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

“Together with regional and international partners, UNMISS calls for concerted, collective efforts at the national, state, and local levels to address the underlying causes and drivers, facilitate the resolution of grievances through dialogue, and hold perpetrators accountable in order to end the deadly cycle of violence.”

“UNMISS is the only shelter civilians can turn to for protection when circumstances become difficult for them. At our base in Warrap State, we usually provide protection to civilians who come outside, and the peacekeepers conduct patrols and assist civilians affected by the conflict.”

One local UN official in South Sudan, who did not want to be identified because he was not authorized to speak to the media, told Anadolu that armed communal violence by community-based militias and/or civil defense groups is still the leading cause of harm to civilians in South Sudan.

He claimed that armed groups in South Sudan are fighting the government, adding to the country's suffering.

“Civilians are suffering due to conflict across the country, and their lives are in danger, which requires immediate action from the government of South Sudan.”

He also stated that the South Sudanese government has failed to address the issues of cattle raids and revenge killings among communities, which are the primary sources of conflict in the country.