South Sudan is at serious risk of sliding back into full scale civil war, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, who has urged an immediate halt to hostilities and a renewed commitment to the country’s fragile peace agreement.
The warning comes as violence intensifies across several regions of the world’s youngest nation. South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, but internal political rivalries quickly escalated into a devastating conflict between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those aligned with Vice President Riek Machar. The fighting, which erupted in 2013, caused tens of thousands of deaths and displaced millions before a peace deal was signed in 2018.
That agreement, formally known as the Revitalized Peace Agreement, was intended to end years of bloodshed and establish a transitional unity government. However, a newly released UN investigative report indicates that the accord is under severe strain. The inquiry accuses political and military leaders of undermining the peace framework, weakening governance structures, and exposing civilians to renewed violence.
Addressing the UN Human Rights Council, High Commissioner Volker Turk described South Sudan as being at a dangerous turning point. He characterized the situation as one of the world’s most overlooked crises, despite clear warning signs of escalating instability. According to UN findings, both government and opposition forces, along with allied militias, have carried out attacks on residential areas in multiple states.
The humanitarian consequences are mounting. In northern Jonglei state alone, more than 280000 people have reportedly fled their homes due to recent clashes. January saw a marked spike in indiscriminate attacks, including aerial bombardments, targeted killings, abductions, and conflict related sexual violence. Civilians have borne the brunt of the violence, deepening an already severe humanitarian emergency.
Human rights monitoring mechanisms, Turk emphasized, function as an early warning system. In the case of South Sudan, he said, that system is flashing red. The report warns that without urgent political dialogue and restraint from armed actors, the country could face mass atrocity crimes and serious violations of international human rights law.
South Sudan’s instability is further complicated by economic hardship, food insecurity, and the spillover effects of ongoing conflict in neighboring Sudan. The convergence of political tensions and humanitarian strain has created conditions that could quickly deteriorate if leaders fail to recommit to the peace process.
The United Nations has called on all parties to cease hostilities immediately, protect civilians, and fully implement the provisions of the 2018 agreement. Observers stress that preventing a return to widespread conflict will require genuine political will, accountability for abuses, and sustained international engagement to support peace and stability in South Sudan.
