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Evidence of Violence, Civilian Displacement in ’s Jonglei State

August 6, 2013 Evidence of Violence, Civilian Displacement in South Sudan’s Jonglei State

The human rights and humanitarian crisis in South Sudan’s largest state of Jonglei same period. Two outlying SPLA defensive posts located less than 2 kilometers north continues to worsen. The long history of rebellion and inter-ethnic clashes in Jonglei and east of the town and an SPLA position adjacent to the dirt runway in town were has evolved into three overlapping crises: major intercommunal attacks between Murle the only forces in the area prior to the hostilities in 2013. By May 2013, both of the and Lou Nuer militias, which have led to thousands of deaths and displacements; an outlying posts were abandoned and probably combined to augment the main camp in ongoing destructive rebellion led by David Yau Yau; and major human rights abuses town. The number of tents dispersed around the perimeter and within town suggests committed by South Sudan’s army against Murle civilians. The suffering of Jonglei’s an SPLA infantry battalion is now stationed there. civilian population is intensifying from the continuing violence and a lack of access to Figure 4 shows the destruction and possible looting that took place at two probable humanitarian assistance. NGO camps on the south side of town. Reports stated that rebels overran Boma, but The US government estimates that more than 100,000 civilians are currently displaced. the town was recaptured by the South Sudanese army on May 18 after days of fighting.1 Most towns have been abandoned, with the civilian population scattered into the bush. DigitalGlobe imagery from May, although considerably cloudy, still shows that Because it is the height of the rainy season, their health and nutritional status is further destruction in the town took place between May 17 and June 20, 2013, when some imperiled. To make matters worse, most health centers have been looted or destroyed. tukuls in the village were destroyed, leaving only the mud-brick walls (Figure 5). Tents Violence and displacement has been particularly high in the southern towns of (probably storing UN or NGO supplies) appear razed and looted at Boma (Figure 6). and Boma since May of this year. These images are illustrative of the destruction being wrought in the multi-dimensional Review of DigitalGlobe’s satellite imagery of areas within Jonglei by Satellite Sentinel crisis that is escalating in Jonglei. SSP/DigitalGlobe will continue to review imagery in Project (SSP) revealed destruction of portions of the central market and abandonment an attempt to determine culpability for attacks on civilians. of residential areas in Pibor. In addition, there was considerable expansion of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) encampment in the town. Figure 1 shows the central (1) Doki, Charlton. Voice of America, “UN in S. Sudan Says Security Allows Return to Boma .” Last modified market area in Pibor before and after the destruction that occurred between May and June 03, 2013. Accessed July 25, 2013. http://www.voanews.com/content/un-south-sudan-security-return- boma-yauyau-rebels/1674638.html. June 2013. Figures 2 and 3 depict the expansion of an SPLA camp in Pibor over that

Satellite Sentinel Project • www.satsentinel.org | Situation Report: Evidence of Violence, Civilian Displacement in South Sudan’s Jonglei State Figure 1

Pibor town market Sheds destroyedTents in (Razedmarket & Burned) area N

Destroyed sheds

Market

Pibor, Jonglei, South Sudan Pibor, Jonglei, South Sudan DigitalGlobe Natural Color Image, May 16, 2013 DigitalGlobe Panchromatic Image, June 16, 2013 Figure 2

Extent of military

camp N

Previous extent of camp

Pibor, Jonglei, South Sudan DigitalGlobe Natural Color Image, May 16, 2013 Figure 3

Extent of military

camp N

Extent of camp as of May 16, 2013

Original SPLA camp

Extent of camp as of June 16, 2013

UN support camp

Pibor, Jonglei, South Sudan DigitalGlobe Panchromatic Image, June 16, 2013 Figure 4

Probable NGO AbandonedTents NGO

camps (Razed & Burned)camps N

Damaged tent

Possible trash from looting

Pibor, Jonglei, South Sudan Pibor, Jonglei, South Sudan DigitalGlobe Panchromatic Image, March 9, 2012 DigitalGlobe Natural Color Image, May 16, 2013 Figure 5

Tents N Town of Boma Burned area of town (Razed & Burned)

Boma, Jonglei, South Sudan Boma, Jonglei, South Sudan DigitalGlobe Natural Color Image, May 17, 2013 DigitalGlobe Panchromatic Image, June 20, 2013 Figure 6

Probable NGO/UN Tents N Destroyed tents tents (Razed & Burned)

Boma, Jonglei, South Sudan Boma, Jonglei, South Sudan DigitalGlobe Natural Color Image, May 17, 2013 DigitalGlobe Panchromatic Image, June 20, 2013