The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has issued a stark warning about the escalating violence and deepening humanitarian crisis in the country. The Commission highlighted that South Sudan is facing a renewed wave of armed conflict, severe human rights violations, and mass displacement, with significant portions of the population fleeing to neighboring nations, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, and Uganda. This dire situation is exacerbated by what the Commission describes as deliberate inaction by South Sudan’s political leaders, bringing the country to a precarious point once again.
The Commission’s recent mission to the African Union (AU) has underscored that armed clashes have reached levels not seen since the 2017 cessation of hostilities. In just 2025, approximately 300,000 South Sudanese have been displaced internationally, adding to the 2 million people internally displaced. The AU and United Nations Security Council are urged to take decisive action, particularly by advancing the establishment of the Hybrid Court, as outlined in the 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan. This court is seen as vital for ensuring justice and accountability for victims, who have been awaiting reparations and credible justice measures for over a decade since the conflict erupted in 2013. Full details on these developments can be found here.
Commissioner Barney Afako has emphasized that the ongoing political crisis, escalating fighting, and pervasive systemic corruption reflect a significant leadership failure in implementing peace agreements and political transition commitments. He warned that without immediate and sustained regional political engagement, South Sudan risks a return to full-scale conflict, posing severe human rights threats to its people and the region. Yasmin Sooka, Chair of the Commission, noted the critical role the Hybrid Court could play in not only delivering accountability for past crimes but also bolstering South Sudan’s justice institutions.
The systemic corruption deeply entrenched in South Sudan is seen as a powerful driver of internal conflict, as highlighted in a recent Commission report. The diversion of public resources has significantly undermined governance, deprived citizens of basic rights, and destabilized social structures. Women are particularly vulnerable, facing displacement, sexual violence, and loss of livelihood due to the renewed violence. Humanitarian agencies caution that these harms will persist without a political resolution and enhanced protection measures. Details on the impact of systemic corruption can be found in a report by the Al Jazeera.
Historically, South Sudan’s turmoil is rooted in ethnic divisions, political rivalries, and resource disputes, which erupted after the country’s independence in 2011. Despite the intentions of the 2018 Revitalised Agreement to stabilize the situation, progress has been stymied by corruption and lackluster enforcement. Regional mediation has so far prevented complete collapse, but the current surge in violence highlights the fragility of these efforts. A comprehensive political transition involving all groups, supported by regional and international stakeholders, is deemed essential to arrest further deterioration. This week, members of the AU Peace and Security Council and the UN Security Council will convene at the AU headquarters to deliberate on the crisis. More insights on these challenges are available from DW.