The U.N. Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan on Sunday expressed alarm at the deteriorating political and security situation and condemned renewed fighting in Jonglei State, warning it places civilians at risk of death, displacement and deprivation.
The commission called for the immediate de-escalation and cessation of hostilities in civilian-populated areas, including airstrikes, ground offensives and military operations. It urged an immediate return to the pathways and obligations of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan.
As a new year dawned, the deliberate sabotage and resulting erosion of the peace agreement is directly driving renewed conflict, with catastrophic consequences for civilian lives and the stability of the country and the wider region, the commission said.
Over the past few weeks, intensified hostilities in Jonglei State have involved direct and indiscriminate attacks on civilian populations, including repeated aerial bombardments by the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces, clashes with the opposition SPLM/A-IO and the reported mobilization of armed civilian militias.
Humanitarian partners estimate that more than 100,000 people, predominantly women, girls, older persons and persons with disabilities, have been forcibly displaced across the state since late December 2025, many fleeing without shelter, food or access to medical care.
“The protection of civilians is not optional — it is a binding legal obligation of the government,” said Yasmin Sooka, chair of the commission. “The renewed airstrikes in civilian areas, combined with restrictions on humanitarian access imposed by parties to the conflict, are again placing lives at immediate risk.”
The commission expressed deep alarm at reports of repeated airstrikes in parts of Jonglei, including Uror, Ayod and Nyirol counties, which have killed and injured civilians, destroyed homes, markets and medical facilities, and triggered large-scale displacement.
“What we are witnessing in Jonglei is not an isolated security incident; it is a dangerous escalation which is manifesting in other parts of the country as well,” said Commissioner Barney Afako. “South Sudanese civilians are paying the heaviest price for the political miscalculations of their leaders.”
The commission underscored that all parties to the conflict are bound by international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Attacks directed against civilians or civilian objects, indiscriminate airstrikes and the denial of humanitarian access are strictly prohibited, it warned.
“Denying access to medical care, forcing the evacuation of health facilities, or carrying out airstrikes in civilian areas raises serious concerns under international law,” said Commissioner Carlos Castresana Fernández. “If such acts are committed deliberately or recklessly, they may amount to war crimes.”
The commission called for immediate political de-escalation, a halt to all airstrikes in civilian areas, unconditional humanitarian access, urgent measures to prevent further spread of the conflict, accountability for violations and renewed regional and international engagement.
“South Sudan’s people cannot continue to pay the price yet again for political and military failure,” Sooka said. “The fighting must stop now; civilians must be protected.”
The Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan is an independent body mandated by the United Nations Human Rights Council.