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Methodology
This report documents abuses South Sudanese have endured since December 2013,
demonstrating how targeted killings of civilians and mass pillage and destruction of
civilian property lie at the heart of how parties to this conflict are fighting this war. It is
based on seven trips by four Human Rights Watch researchers to South Sudan between
December 2013 and June 2014. Researchers visited the capital Juba on every trip, spending
several weeks there in January and March. Researchers also visited the towns of Bentiu
three times, Bor twice, the town of Malakal once, and Awerial County in Lakes State once.
More than 400 people were interviewed in the course of conducting the research. Many of
those interviewed were displaced people sheltering in UNMISS bases or camps for
internally displaced people (IDP). In addition, Human Rights Watch interviewed other
victims and witnesses living outside of the UN bases.
Also interviewed were South Sudanese government and army officials, opposition leaders,
international diplomats and senior UN officials. Some of these interviews were conducted
in Nairobi and Addis Ababa, where the Intergovernmental Authority of Development (IGAD)
regional body is holding peace negotiations. In all locations in South Sudan, researchers
consulted UNMISS and international humanitarian officials.
South Sudan’s Unity, Upper Nile and Jonglei states have been especially affected by
fighting, including in many rural areas that Human Rights Watch did not visit because of,
insecurity or other access constraints. Many displaced people from those locations
reported similar patterns of civilian targeting and destruction by fighters that Human
Rights Watch documented in towns. The findings in this report are mostly restricted to
violations that took place in Juba, Bor, Bentiu and Malakal. Further research in other
locations, including opposition strongholds, would have almost certainly uncovered more
abuses by both parties to the conflict.
Interviews with victims and witnesses were conducted confidentially and to the extent
possible all interviews took place in privacy. Interviews took place in Arabic, Dinka, English
or Nuer languages, with assistance from translators where necessary. Most interviews
lasted 15 to 30 minutes and the vast majority took place in person although some
SOUTH SUDAN’S NEW WAR 14