Arbitrary arrests rife in South Sudan: UN

The United Nations on Wednesday denounced “concerning” infringement of rights in conflict-weary South Sudan, citing arbitrary arrests and detention of hundreds, including women and children.

The world’s youngest country is struggling to recover from a brutal civil war and is plagued by power struggles, ethnic infighting and a deep economic malaise.

At least 1,140 civilians, including 87 children, had been arbitrarily detained between January 2023 and May this year, the UN rights office and UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said in a joint report.

Those targeted by the arrests included women and girls who had refused arranged marriages, sought divorces or had been accused of adultery.

Opposition party members and those perceived to be associated with them were also thrown behind bars.

“It is concerning that individuals have been arrested and detained – in many cases for alleged conduct that does not amount to criminal offences,” UN rights chief Volker Turk said.

While both state security officials and armed groups were involved in the rights violations, most of the arrests were carried out by the government, the UN said.

“I call on the South Sudanese authorities to release all individuals arbitrarily deprived of their liberty, and to bring those responsible for such violations and abuses to justice,” Turk said.

South Sudan has struggled to find its footing since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, battling violence, endemic poverty and natural disasters.

The country also faces another period of political paralysis after the president’s office announced in September yet another extension to a transitional period agreed in a 2018 peace deal, delaying elections by two years to December 2026.

Key provisions of the transitional agreement remain unfulfilled — including the creation of a constitution and the unification of the rival forces of President Salva Kiir and his foe Reik Machar.