South Sudan: UN Human Rights Chief Decries Escalating Hostilities, Arbitrary Arrests And Hate Speech

GENEVA (23 May 2025) – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk today warned of a further deterioration in the human rights situation in South Sudan following a sharp increase in hostilities, arbitrary arrests and hate speech in the country since February.

Hostilities between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army – In Opposition (SPLA-IO) and their respective allied armed groups, have left at least 75 civilians killed and 78 others injured, and displaced thousands from their homes.

Between 3 and 20 May, the hostilities intensified with reports of use of indiscriminate aerial bombardments and river and ground offensives by the SSPDF on SPLA-IO positions in parts of Fangak in Jonglei State and in Tonga County in Upper Nile. Civilian-populated areas have also been struck, including a medical facility operated by Doctors Without Borders (MSF). On 21 May, the SPLA-IO and allied armed groups launched a counter-offensive to recapture areas it had lost in Fangak, triggering further civilian displacement.

“The escalating hostilities in South Sudan portend a real risk of further exacerbating the already dire human rights and humanitarian situation, and undermining the country’s fragile peace process,” said Türk. “All parties must urgently pull back from the brink.”

“I urge all parties to uphold the 2018 peace agreement, ensure protection of civilians and civilian objects and facilitate humanitarian access in line with their obligations under international law.”

The latest armed violence erupted following a series of attacks and confrontations in February in Nasir County, in Upper Nile State, reportedly involving a militia group identified as the White Army. Most of the hostilities have taken place in the Central Equatoria, Jonglei, Unity, and Upper Nile states.

Dozens of politicians linked to the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – In Opposition (SPLM-IO) have been detained, among them South Sudan’s first vice-president, ministers, members of parliament and military officers. Between 5 and 26 March, at least 55 high-ranking government officials affiliated with the SPLM-IO were arrested across the country, among them civilians.

“I am concerned that many of the detentions are arbitrary in nature, as the individuals in question were arrested without warrants or due process,” said Türk. “Those arbitrarily detained must be immediately and unconditionally released.”

He urged the authorities to grant the UN Mission in South Sudan access to National Security Service detention sites to assess the welfare of the detainees held there.

The UN Human Rights Chief also urged the authorities to take prompt, effective and meaningful steps to halt the spread of hate speech.

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