Joint UN-AU Statement on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in South Sudan (05.12.2018)

The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Smaїl Chergui, and United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director for UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka are appalled by the acts of sexual violence, including rape, committed against an estimated more than 150 women and girls recently near Bentiu in South Sudan.

Recalling their joint visit to South Sudan and Bentiu only two months ago, Mr. Lacroix, Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka and Ambassador Chergui note the continued brutality to which women and girls are subjected and the lack of accountability.  They met with women who were hopeful about the signing of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) in September 2018, but remained concerned and fearful about the fragile peace and security in their communities. This type of predatory behaviour is abhorrent and must end immediately.

The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, the Executive Director of UN Women and the African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security recalled the resolve of Government authorities to address sexual violence. Given that these recent attacks took place in Government controlled areas, the three urge President Salva Kiir and his senior leadership to expedite efforts to prevent such violence, including through immediate justice and accountability measures.

Further, they urge all parties to the conflict in South Sudan to implement their obligations to address sexual violence and restore the dignity of the women and children of South Sudan, as well as prosecute those responsible to the fullest extent.

The United Nations and African Union stand ready to assist the parties in finding a political solution to the conflict, through the full implementation of their commitments to the Agreement, as well as continue to advocate for the safety of women and girls and their access to services and justice.

Press statement of the African Union High-Level Ad Hoc Committee for South Sudan visit to Juba (05.12.2018)

South Sudan: Termination of membership of defectors from FDP/SSAF (05.12.2018)

South Sudan: SSOA – Press Statement (04.12.2018)

Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on South Sudan (04.12.2018)

Rape and other forms of sexual violence have been a consistent feature of the conflict in South Sudan, used both as a tactic of war and a driver of forced displacement.

NEW YORK, United States of America, December 4, 2018 – The Secretary-General strongly condemns the brutal sexual attacks perpetrated against women and girls in the last ten days in the Unity region of South Sudan. These horrific acts are a distressing reminder of how, despite recent recommitments by South Sudan’s leaders to a cessation of hostilities and a revitalized peace agreement, the security situation for civilians remains dire, especially for women and children.

Rape and other forms of sexual violence have been a consistent feature of the conflict in South Sudan, used both as a tactic of war and a driver of forced displacement. The Secretary-General underlines that such predatory behavior against the most vulnerable is unacceptable.

The Secretary-General urges the leaders of all the parties to the conflict – and future leaders in the Transitional Government of National Unity – to ensure the safety of civilians and address impunity for these crimes through investigation and prosecution of perpetrators, including through the operationalization of the Hybrid Court, as an immediate priority.

The Secretary-General underlines that the only viable solution for the security and prosperity of the people of South Sudan is the immediate cessation of hostilities and the full implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan. The United Nations stands ready to support all national, regional and international efforts to that effect.

South Sudan: European Union Delegation & EU Heads of Mission in Juba issued a statement on reports of sexual violence on women and girls in the Bentiu area (03.12.2018)

UNMISS condemns brutal sexual assaults on women and girls near Bentiu (02.12.2018)

South Sudan: CTSAMVM Report Number 2 to 2nd CTSAMVM Board Covering Period from 12 Sep- 29. Nov 2018 (28.11.2018)

South Sudan: SSOA names its Chairman for the next six months (01.12.2018)

UNHCR statement on the refugee response programme in Uganda (30.11.2018)

The UN Office of Internal Oversight (OIOS) audit report into UNHCR’s Uganda operation, released this week, contains findings that show clear gaps and weaknesses in risk management in a number of areas during the period between July 2016 and December 2017. The audit followed the massive influx of refugees from South Sudan in 2016 – mid 2017, when UNHCR’s staffing capacity in key functions and in remote locations was very low, followed by a rapidly expanded operation in the second half of 2017 with many new staff and partners.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is in the business of saving lives and protecting people. Maintaining the trust and confidence of our donors and of the general public is of utmost importance to us. A number of internal reviews and technical oversight missions had identified risky areas in the operation during 2017. UNHCR worked closely with the OIOS auditors, who came to Uganda in February 2017, identifying issues and providing information that was used in the audit. We have accepted the recommendations of the OIOS auditors and have been working to address them well before this report was issued on 27 November, including in conjunction with Uganda’s Office of the Prime Minister.

Underscoring the urgency with which UNHCR was seized with these issues, the High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, visited Kampala in January 2018 to assess the complex challenges being faced in the refugee response and meet with the government at the highest level. Amongst other measures introduced, he agreed with the Prime Minister to launch the verification exercise into refugee registration data just completed. He also upgraded the leadership of the UNHCR operation to manage these challenges. Various corrective measures have been put in place, supported by a plan for ongoing and future actions. There is continuous follow-up.

Measures we have taken to date include revising or redesigning and rolling out new Standard Operating Procedures for the reception of refugees, their registration, protection, assistance (food, non-food items – core relief supplies) and case management. The complaints and feedback mechanisms for refugees have been strengthened with a new inter-agency call-centre. We have also strengthened staffing in key operations functions, in particular with regard to reinforced capacities in oversight and management. These include the establishment of a senior post in risk management and compliance. Monitoring and reporting functions have additionally been reviewed, revised and enhanced.

In regard to road construction, an investigation is ongoing and we are pursuing a full recovery of funds from any project partners of concern. Allowances paid to civil servants are verified through attendance records and payment to individual bank accounts with overall responsibility lying with the government.

To address concerns about the accuracy of registration data, a countrywide biometric verification exercise of the refugee and asylum-seeker population was conducted between March and October 2018. The Government of Uganda is now committed to using the appropriate tools for continuous registration, which is their responsibility, and to ensuring the integrity of the registration process. The strengthened registration and case management systems will improve service and assistance delivery, including distribution of food. UNHCR is working closely with the Office of the Prime Minister in the roll-out of these new systems and jointly addressing obstacles that emerge in their practical application at field level.

UNHCR has also closely reviewed its monitoring of water delivery trucking in remote refugee settlements. We are doing top-to-bottom reviews of contracts, invoices and delivery verification before proceeding with any payments. Significant progress has been made in reducing water trucking, which is expensive, from 37 per cent in May 2017 to 7 per cent over the course of the year, following completion of several water schemes in Rhino, Imvepi and Palorinya refugee settlements in northern Uganda. With the new measures in place, we expect a further reduction to 5 per cent in December 2018.

The audit recommendations vis-à-vis partnership management, performance monitoring, procurement procedures, non-food item distribution and warehouse management are being addressed and toughened measures have been put in place, including with partner organizations and the Office of the Prime Minister, where these activities are jointly implemented. Progress will be reviewed regularly.

UNHCR has additionally established a high-level dialogue with the Office of the Prime Minister and other government authorities on the audit findings, including regarding recovery of funds as may be needed. Fuel cards and vehicle tracking have been introduced for implementation in 2019. A task force has been set up to review projects implemented by the Office of the Prime Minister. A preliminary report is due in mid-December.

UNHCR is determined to ensure the full integrity of the refugee response in Uganda and is addressing all issues identified in the audit report.