UN demands swift justice over 'appalling' South Sudan violence

A deadly upsurge in intercommunal violence in South Sudan has to stop and those responsible must be swiftly brought to justice, the UN human rights chief insisted Friday.

Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations' high commissioner for human rights, slammed the "appalling" attacks that have reportedly left hundreds dead in the world's youngest sovereign state.

The former Chilean president's office said that while politically-motivated fighting in South Sudan had declined, intercommunal violence had surged this year.

During the first three months of 2020, 658 people were killed in intercommunal violence in the country, while 452 were injured, the rights office said.

Another 592 people were abducted and 65 reported being subjected to sexual violence, it added.

"This recurring pattern of violence, which continues to claim lives in South Sudan, has to stop," Bachelet said in a statement.

"I urge the government to ensure measures are in place to investigate this violence and to ensure that those responsible are prosecuted, and that victims and their families have access to justice, truth and reparations."