The United Nations Security Council [official website] on Thursday urged [UN press release] the South Sudan government to protect its civilians from the deteriorating conditions within the country. Although there has been a ceasefire, the country is experiencing ongoing violence. Last month, armed men wearing uniforms of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army entered the UN Mission site housing civilians, where they killed and injured [UN News article] approximately 50 individuals. The Security Council, in an effort to finalize a seven-month-old peace deal, has set out a five step plan in the hopes of bringing stability to the area.

The conflict in South Sudan has taken more than 50,000 lives and has displaced over one and a half million people. Human Rights Watch [advocacy website] last week urged [JURIST report] the African Union to establish a hybrid court to prosecute members of the South Sudan government for war crimes committed in the Western Equatoria region. Last month the United Nations Mission in South Sudan strongly condemned [JURIST report] the violence that took place between Shilluk and Dinka youths at one of its Protection of Civilian sites in South Sudan. The OHCHR reported in January that “shocking crimes” have been committed [JURIST report] in the war-torn South Sudan.