UN decries killing of 442 people in South Sudan

UNMISS reported a 43 percent increase in the number of violent episodes and a 22 percent hike in the number of victims compared to the same period last year, with women and children being the most common victims.

"UNMISS recorded 317 incidents affecting at least 1,062 civilians, including 160 women and 188 children, of which 442 were killed, 297 injured, 197 abducted, and 126 were subjected to sexual violence," the mission said in a statement issued in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.

 According to UNMISS, the number of abductions grew by 181 percent to 197, while the number of sexual violence victims jumped by 168 percent to 126. The majority of abductions were registered in parts of Juba, Yei River, and Morobo counties in Central Equatoria State.

 Nicholas Haysom, special representative of the UN secretary-general for South Sudan and head of UNMISS, said the considerable increase in violent incidents, particularly abductions and attacks against women, is "alarming and must stop."

 He urged the South Sudan government to protect civilians by preventing repeated cycles of violence, investigating violations and abuses of human rights and international humanitarian law, as well as holding perpetrators accountable in accordance with applicable laws.