19 March 2014 - The range of death, destruction, gross human rights violations and displacement in South Sudan over such a short period have few precedents, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says in his latest report on the country.

“Not only has the conflict caused massive loss of innocent life, but major towns such as Bor, Malakal and Bentiu have been completely destroyed and close to one million people have been displaced or have sought refuge abroad,” he says in the report, issued 6 March.

The Secretary-General attributes the “devastating conflict and national crisis” to differences within the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).

“By allowing … the power struggle within the ruling SPLM (Sudan People’s Liberation Movement) to spiral out of control … the political leaders of South Sudan collectively have failed their people and severely set back a country that was already struggling to emerge from a state of fragility,” he states.

Both sides now bear full responsibility for bringing the senseless fighting, as well as continuing loss of lives and unfolding humanitarian crisis, to an immediate end, Mr. Ban says.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) peace process under way in Addis Ababa must seek to address root causes of instability in South Sudan and include democratic transformation of the country as vital for good governance, the report states.

It warns that destruction and insecurity due to the crisis could cause increasingly severe food shortages to spiral into famine.

“Livelihoods have been lost, markets destroyed and, most critically, lack of freedom is preventing people in rural areas in the most affected states from hunting, fishing and planting crops.”

Mr. Ban also notes that security institutions, especially the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), have partially disintegrated and their legitimacy massively eroded by atrocities committed.

Deep animosities between communities have been reopened and exacerbated, he states, calling the ethnic dimension of killings and abuses “most alarming”.

“Affected populations and their community leaders and key stakeholders must make every effort to start the healing and reconciliation processes … to save South Sudan from sinking into a deeper abyss,” Mr. Ban says.

Accountability is also essential, and justice needed to right wrongs suffered, he adds. “The UN will stand by the people of South Sudan and I pledge to make every effort to ensure that expectations are met and that the perpetrators of crimes committed against civilians are brought to justice.”

The report warns that insecurity will likely continue in states most affected by ongoing conflict and displaced people fear returning home until the situation improves.

But it adds that UNMISS was deployed to assist South Sudanese build a new nation and remains committed to that goal. The mission’s main focus will be protecting civilians, human rights and helping to create security conditions conducive to delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Once the IGAD peace process in Addis Ababa has been concluded, the UN will consult the government, South Sudan and UN partners on recommendations for a new mandate to support stabilization in the country, Mr. Ban says.

He requests the Security Council to authorize a temporary increase in UNMISS military strength to 12,500 troops and its police strength by four formed police units for one year. “The additional resources requested will further assist UNMISS in protecting civilians.”

The report observes, however, that resolving the conflict and addressing civilians’ fears, which prevent them from returning home, can only be resolved by political leaders in South Sudan.

The Secretary-General also notes with “deep concern” violations of the status-of-forces agreement between the UN and South Sudan and incidents of harassment of mission personnel in South Sudan. “Such violations and cases of harassment must stop immediately.”