Content_paragraphs:  I am deeply concerned about the escalating intercommunal violence throughout 
  
  South Sudan, in particular in Jonglei, Lakes, Warrap, Unity and Western Bahr 
  
  el-Ghazal. Readily available weapons and the increased involvement of armed 
  
  uniformed personnel have intensified the nature and scale of erstwhile local conflicts. 
  
  Such violence can no longer be viewed parochially as intercommunal. It is imperative 
  
  to end the cycle of violence and impunity, which continues to fuel serious human 
  
  rights violations, of which civilians, in particular women and children, often bear the 
  
  brunt. In this regard, the decision of the President to appoint a high-level committee 
  
  to address the situation in Jonglei and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area is a step 
  
  in the right direction, and I assure him of the support of UNMISS and United Nations 
  
  partners to facilitate the work of the committee. I am also concerned by reports of 
  
  increasing numbers of sexual and gender-based violence cases and related impunity, 
  
  and I hope for the speedy reconstitution of the Transitional National Legislative 
  
  Assembly and the consideration of the draft anti-gender-based violence bill. Although 
  
  the Government’s efforts to ensure accountability for serious crimes are to be 
  
  welcomed, the Government is encouraged to put in place measures to preclude the 
  
  execution of death sentences in all circumstances, including through a moratorium 
  
  and commutations.