This archive report was first published on 28 June 2020.
South Sudan is facing a growing health crisis and intensifying ethnic violence, a United Nations envoy warned on June 26, 2020.
David Shearer, head of the UN Mission in South Sudan, highlighted a 'steeply increasing rate of infection' from the coronavirus and a 'really high increase in sub-national conflict and violence.'
As of now, the country has reported approximately 2,000 cases of Covid-19, resulting in 40 deaths, Mr. Shearer said. Among those infected are 54 UN personnel working in South Sudan.
However, with only 10,000 tests conducted in a total population of 12 million, the prevalence of the virus is likely much greater than what has been measured so far, the envoy added.
Deaths due to other diseases such as malaria and diarrhoea may soon increase as well, Ambassador Shearer warned.
He also expressed concerns about the potential shutdown of UN-run health clinics around the country, which could lead to a higher death rate than predicted for Covid-19.
Furthermore, Ambassador Shearer offered a pessimistic appraisal of the political and military situations in South Sudan.
He noted that 'very little progress' has been made in delivering effective governance in the country since the formation of a unity government in February.
Mr. Shearer also highlighted the failure to appoint governors of South Sudan's states, which has enabled local conflicts to intensify.
He noted a four-fold increase in the number of security incidents around the country in the past three months, with much of the fighting being between ethnic groups.
However, Mr. Shearer expressed concern that uniformed personnel are increasingly joining in the fighting, which could lead to the ceasefire holding since 2018 to falter and unravel.
