Geneva – The human rights situation in South Sudan is deteriorating rapidly, with escalating violence and political tensions threatening to unravel the fragile 2018 peace agreement. United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned Friday that the country is sliding towards a dangerous point, as attacks on civilians surge and the humanitarian crisis deepens. The conflict, often overlooked internationally, is now compounded by the ongoing war in neighboring Sudan, creating a complex emergency with far-reaching consequences.
Türk described South Sudan as “among the world’s forgotten crises,” a stark assessment delivered to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. His remarks came as reports detailed a significant increase in civilian casualties and rights abuses, including indiscriminate attacks, abductions, and sexual violence. The escalating violence is not merely a continuation of existing conflicts, but a worrying trend that could push the country back into all-out civil war, undoing years of painstaking peace efforts.
Since December, both government and opposition forces, along with their affiliated militias, have launched attacks on residential areas across seven states. Jonglei state has been particularly hard hit, with over 280,000 people forced to flee their homes. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) documented 189 civilian deaths in January alone, a 45 percent increase in rights violations and abuses compared to the previous month. This surge in violence underscores the urgent necessitate for intervention and a renewed commitment to peace.
The breakdown of military discipline on both sides of the conflict is a key concern, Türk emphasized. In Jonglei and Eastern Equatoria states, troops have demonstrated “a near total disregard for civilian protection,” leading to a spike in indiscriminate attacks. These attacks include aerial bombardments, deliberate killings, and the horrific use of conflict-related sexual violence as a weapon of war. The lack of accountability for these crimes further exacerbates the cycle of violence and impunity.
A Humanitarian Crisis Within a Crisis
The escalating conflict is unfolding against a backdrop of a massive humanitarian emergency. Millions of South Sudanese are already in need of assistance, and the war in Sudan is adding to the strain. The influx of refugees and returnees from Sudan is placing an additional burden on the country’s limited resources, further exacerbating the existing humanitarian challenges. According to the UN migration agency, IOM, over 1.3 million South Sudanese have returned to the country after fleeing the conflict in Sudan.
Ugochi Daniels, IOM’s Deputy Director for Operations, highlighted the scale of the displacement crisis, stating that South Sudan is “one of the most displacement-affected countries in the world.” Despite this, she noted that the situation receives remarkably little attention from the international media. “Nearly 10 million people require humanitarian assistance and more than 2.3 million people are displaced within the country,” Daniels told journalists in Geneva. “Over the past two months alone, over 250,000 people have been displaced and yet this has hardly been registered on the international scene.”
Rising Tensions and the Threat of Fragmentation
The current escalation is fueled by rising tensions and hate speech, with incitement to violence targeting entire communities and ethnic groups. Türk highlighted an authenticated audio recording from the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in which a senior military official allegedly urged his forces to “spare no lives, and to destroy civilian homes, livestock, and property.” This rhetoric underscores the dangerous trajectory of the conflict and the potential for further atrocities.
The situation is further complicated by the ongoing trial of Vice-President Riek Machar for treason, and his current state of house arrest. Fighting has been reported in Jonglei and Upper Nile states between government forces and those loyal to Machar, raising concerns about the stability of the peace agreement. The collapse of the agreement could lead to fragmentation and a return to the widespread violence that plagued the country for years.
A ‘Code Red’ for Human Rights
Türk warned that human rights monitoring in South Sudan is “flashing red,” signaling an imminent crisis. He called for an immediate conclude to hostilities and urged all parties to recommit to inclusive dialogue. The UN’s top aid official, Tom Fletcher, recently issued an alert for the people of South Sudan, following the killing of three aid workers earlier this month in Jonglei and Upper Nile states. The targeting of humanitarian personnel further hinders efforts to provide life-saving assistance to those in need.
The violence is also taking a toll on aid workers, with three killed earlier this month in Jonglei and Upper Nile states. This has led to the suspension of UN aid operations in parts of Upper Nile and northern Jonglei states, severely hampering humanitarian access. River corridors are being utilized where possible to deliver essential supplies, but access remains fragile and unpredictable.
More than 5,100 people were killed or injured in 2025, a 40 percent increase over 2024, according to OHCHR. The escalating violence has also resulted in a disturbing increase in abductions, with opposition forces and their allies abducting 550 civilians. OHCHR also monitored over 250 cases of conflict-related sexual violence, though officials believe the actual number is significantly higher.
The situation in South Sudan demands urgent attention and a concerted effort from the international community. The country’s fragile peace is on the brink of collapse, and the humanitarian consequences are dire. The next key development to watch will be the outcome of ongoing efforts to facilitate dialogue between the warring parties and secure a commitment to a peaceful resolution.
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