On August 4, 2016, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, said in a statement that preliminary UN investigations into the recent fighting in South Sudan reveal that government security forces carried out killings, rapes, lootings, and destruction of property. Fighting erupted in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, on July 7, 2016 between government forces known as the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), loyal to President Salva Kiir, and the “SPLA in Opposition,” who back First Vice-President Riek Machar. The fighting displaced thousands of people and SPLA soldiers denied civilians access to UN compounds. The High Commissioner stated that government forces summarily executed many civilians. People of Nuer origin appear to have been especially targeted. The UN has recorded at least seventy-three civilian deaths thus far. However, the death toll is believed to be higher, as the UN was denied access to many areas. Additionally, the UN has documented at least 217 cases of sexual violence in Juba between July 8th and 25th. Displaced Nuer women and girls were the principal victims and “those responsible seem to have been mostly SPLA.” Over one hundred women and girls were reportedly raped or gang-raped on roads leading out of Juba. SPLA soldiers also robbed, verbally abused, and beat women and girls at various checkpoints across the city. Numerous allegations surfaced about peacekeepers failing to assist women and girls reportedly raped and assaulted near their stations. The High Commissioner condemned the lack of effective response to end impunity for human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law. He added that “[t]he severity of the recent violence, and the very dangerous ethnic undertone, call for urgent action by the Security Council.”