IN a heartfelt and urgent appeal, the United Nations has sounded the alarm over a rapidly deteriorating human rights situation in South Sudan, as fresh waves of violence, arbitrary arrests, and hate speech threaten to plunge the world’s youngest nation into deeper turmoil.
Speaking on behalf of the UN Human Rights Office, spokesperson Seif Magango conveyed the grave concerns of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk:
“We are warning today of a real risk of further deterioration in the human rights situation in South Sudan. The country faces a sharp increase in hostilities between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLM-IO),” Magango stated.
Since renewed fighting erupted in February, primarily in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, at least 75 civilians have lost their lives, and 78 more have suffered injuries. The violence—sparked by attacks attributed to the White Army militia—has forced thousands of families to flee their homes, adding to the already dire humanitarian crisis. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), over 9 million South Sudanese are in need of urgent assistance, with displacement numbers rising in recent months.
Magango also expressed deep concern over the arbitrary detention of dozens of politicians linked to the SPLM-IO, including the country’s First Vice-President, several ministers, and members of parliament.
“At least 55 high-ranking government officials affiliated with the SPLM-IO were arrested across the country between March 5 and March 26—many without arrest warrants or due process,” he said.
The UN is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all those arbitrarily detained, emphasising that such actions undermine the fragile peace process and violate South Sudan’s obligations under international law.
The UN also warned of the dangerous rise in hate speech, which threatens to inflame ethnic tensions and provoke further violence.
“We appeal to the authorities to take prompt, effective, and meaningful steps to halt hate speech,” Magango urged.
High Commissioner Türk implored all parties to urgently pull back from the brink and reaffirm their commitment to the 2018 Revitalised Peace Agreement, which remains the cornerstone for lasting peace in South Sudan.
“We call on all parties to protect civilians and civilian objects, and to facilitate humanitarian access—upholding their obligations under international law,” the statement read.
A Call to the International Community
The UN’s plea comes as the country faces mounting challenges, including widespread food insecurity, ongoing flooding, and the spillover of conflict from neighbouring Sudan. Humanitarian agencies warn that without immediate action, South Sudan risks sliding back into large-scale conflict and humanitarian catastrophe.
“The world cannot turn its back on South Sudan’s people,” the UN statement concluded. “We urge all stakeholders—national, regional, and international—to act now to prevent further suffering and to support the path to peace, justice, and dignity for all South Sudanese.”
