Nairobi: The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Monday released a report on the findings of its in-depth investigation into the inter-communal violence in Jonglei State, that claimed the lives of hundreds in 2011 and early 2012.
The report has pointed out that the government failed to act fast enough to stop the violence.
Entitled Incidents of Inter-communal Violence in Jonglei State, the reports provides nine recommendations to avert future major outbreaks of violence.
The report says a failed disarmament campaign in 2009 and 2010 allowed the groups to stock up on weapons, which amplified the violence.
The report was compiled by the Human Rights Division of UNMISS with support from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
According to which Human rights officers undertook 20 field missions to towns and rural areas of Jonglei State that were targeted by the violence, in particular those affected by the late December 2011 attacks by thousands of Lou Nuer armed youth on Murle settlements in Pibor County.
UNMISS recorded 612 fatalities in the course of the attacks on Murle settlements and 276 deaths resulting from the attacks on the Lou Nuer and Dinka communities between 23 December 2011 and 4 February 2012.
The report also focuses on incidents of abduction of children and women as tens of thousands were displaced and many homes were destroyed in the recent violence.
As a matter of urgency, the report recommends the activation of the government’s Investigation Committee into the Jonglei State Crisis. It also calls for the prosecution of all those responsible for the violence.
UNMISS calls on the South Sudanese government to develop a comprehensive, multi-faceted plan for curbing violence in Jonglei and establishing a more protective environment for local residents that demonstrates the benefits of a bolstered government presence.
The report further urges that the peace process which has been launched already, the civilian disarmament and the investigation committee should all be incorporated into such a plan.