South Sudan: Increase in abductions and sexual violence ‘unacceptable’

UNMISS launched its newest quarterly human rights transient, masking July to September 2025 – a interval marked by a continued deterioration in the political and safety state of affairs. 

Components included persistent inter/intra-communal violence involving community-based militias and/or civil defence teams; hostilities between the opponents and different armed teams – together with the alleged involvement of international forces – political tensions between the ruling occasion and the opposition, and ethnic polarisation. 

Killings and different abuse 

The transient paperwork 295 incidents of conflict-related violence, impacting 1,153 civilians, with 166 ladies, and 93 youngsters (46 boys and 47 ladies) amongst them. 

Of this quantity, 519 civilians have been killed, 396 injured, 159 kidnapped, and 79 subjected to conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). 

This represents a 12 per cent lower in the variety of incidents and a 24 per cent lower in the overall variety of victims in comparison with the earlier quarter. 

Dashed hope 

But regardless of an 18 per cent lower in civilian killings and a 41 p.c discount in accidents, abductions elevated by 20 per cent alongside a seven per cent rise in CRSV instances. 

“Whereas the decline in casualties this quarter presents a measure of hope, the rise in abductions and sexual violence, and persistent armed hostilities are unacceptable,” mentioned Anita Kiki Gbeho, Officer-in-Cost of UNMISS. 
The transient reveals that the safety of civilians stays severely compromised because of widespread armed confrontations, shelling, aerial bombardments, and focused airstrikes in elements of Central Equatoria, Jonglei, Unity, Higher Nile, Western Bahr el Ghazal, and Western Equatoria states.  

Furthermore, pressured displacement – a direct consequence of ongoing violence – continues undermining peacebuilding efforts, whereas additionally exposing civilians to higher dangers and extreme humanitarian wants. 

Ms. Ghebo urged all events to respect worldwide humanitarian and human rights legislation and to recommit to defending civilians.  

“Accountability for violations and respect for human rights stay important for constructing belief, reconciliation, and a sturdy peace in South Sudan,” she mentioned.