Civilians intentionally starved by South Sudan’s leaders – UN report
A South Sudanese woman looks exhausted after taking rest (Photo: File)
February 20, 2020 (SSNN)—South Sudan’s government forces and other armed groups have been accused of “deliberately starving” civilians by hindering humanitarian access and displacing communities from their homes, a report released by the United Nations revealed on Thursday.
The United Nations says the parties have systematically monitored, silenced citizens and often obstruct justice.
“Today in South Sudan, civilians are deliberately starved, systematically surveilled and silenced, arbitrarily arrested and detained and denied meaningful access to justice,” it said.
“The Commission notes with grave concern that beyond climate-induced factors, both government forces and armed groups have pursued policies responsible for the starvation of the population in Wau and Unity State” in the north of the country.
“The denial of humanitarian access and displacement brought about by unlawful tactics have significantly exacerbated famine in different parts of the country, depriving hundreds of thousands of civilins of vital needs, including access to food.”
“Political elites remained oblivious to the intense suffering of millions of civilians for whom they were ostensibly fighting,” the report said.
The report slammed political elites for amassing wealth as millions continue to suffer across the country.
“Corruption has made several officials extremely wealthy at the expense of millions of starving civilians,” said the report, which found millions of dollars in tax collections had been diverted and disappeared.
The report was released today, as the countdown to the formation of the unity government commences.
Facebook Comments