JUBA, South Sudan — The United Nations (UN) human rights office reported on Friday 23, May 2025 that clashes between the South Sudan army and opposition forces, along with their respective allied armed groups, have resulted in the deaths of at least 75 civilians and injuries to 78 others since February.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed grave concern over the escalating human rights situation in South Sudan, citing a sharp increase in hostilities, arbitrary arrests, and hate speech. “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,” Türk stated.
The recent surge in armed violence followed a series of attacks and confrontations in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, in February. These incidents reportedly involved a militia group known as the White Army, which the government alleges is linked to the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) led by First Vice President Riek Machar. The fighting in Nasir, located near the Ethiopian border, tragically led to the death of 27 people, including a UN crew member during an evacuation mission on March 7th.
Following these events, several officials, including Machar, were arrested; Machar remains under house arrest. The UN human rights body noted that between March 5th and 26th, at least 55 government officials affiliated with the SPLM-IO were detained across the nation.
“All parties must urgently pull back from the brink,” urged Türk. He highlighted the intensification of hostilities between May 3rd and 20th, with reports indicating the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces’ use of indiscriminate aerial bombardments and river and ground offensives against SPLA-IO positions in parts of Fangak, Jonglei State, and Tonga County, Upper Nile. Civilian areas, including a medical facility operated by Doctors Without Borders, were also reportedly struck.
On May 21st, the SPLA-IO and allied armed groups launched a counter-offensive to regain territories lost in Fangak, leading to further displacement of civilians.
“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,” Türk emphasized. He also called upon the authorities to grant the UN Mission in South Sudan access to National Security Service detention sites to assess the welfare of the detainees.
