UN human rights chief Volker Turk issued a chilling warning on Friday regarding the rapidly deteriorating situation in South Sudan, demanding immediate international intervention to stop the nation from sliding back into the abyss of a full-scale civil war.
“We need urgent action to preserve the peace agreement and prevent fragmentation and cycles of retaliation that could herald a return to all-out civil war,” Turk declared during his address to the United Nations Human Rights Council.
A Fragile Peace Collapses
The current surge in violence stems from the collapse of a power-sharing agreement between rival generals Salva Kiir and Riek Machar. Consequently, displacement figures have reached staggering levels, with at least 280,000 people fleeing their homes in Jonglei state since December.
Turk emphasized that the crisis worsened significantly in January as human rights violations and abuses surged by 45 percent month-over-month. Furthermore, his office documented the deaths of 189 civilians last month alone, while many more victims suffered life-altering physical injuries.
The rights chief expressed deep horror regarding a recent attack by government forces and allied militia against an Ayod village. “Witnesses told my colleagues that troops ordered residents to gather, and then opened fire on the crowd, killing 21 unarmed civilians including women and children,” Turk stated.
Moreover, military discipline has apparently collapsed on both sides of the conflict as troops demonstrate a near-total disregard for civilian protection. Data from his team shows a 40-percent increase in casualties compared to 2024, with over 5,100 people killed or injured.
Systematic Abuses and Hate Speech
In addition to physical violence, Turk decried rampant sexual violence and a “disturbing increase” in abductions by various opposition forces. Specifically, his team documented that opposition groups and their allies abducted 550 civilians throughout the early months of 2025.
The UN mission also authenticated a recording where a senior military official urged forces to spare no lives during their raids. “Acts of hate speech and incitement to violence may amount to international crimes,” Turk warned, noting that perpetrators face international prosecution.
Finally, South Sudan remains extremely dangerous for humanitarian workers, who faced 350 attacks on their staff and facilities last year. This represents a one-third increase from 2024, making the delivery of essential life-saving aid nearly impossible for those in need.
