The United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan expressed deep concern on Thursday following its latest visit to the country, emphasizing that renewed violence, political tensions, shrinking civic space, entrenched corruption, and persistent impunity continue to endanger civilians and the country's political transition. The Commission warned that the window to prevent further deterioration is narrowing.
“Visit after visit, we continue to hear from people who bear the consequences of violence, displacement, insecurity and the failures of those with political and security responsibilities to prevent and address those harms,” said Chairperson Yasmin Sooka.
"What troubles us most is that we continue to hear similar stories of suffering – families uprooted from their homes, communities living in fear, women and girls facing serious violations, and people struggling to access even the most basic services."
She added that these patterns have changed little, while the human cost continues to grow.
“South Sudanese people deserve better than to have their lives shaped by recurring cycles of violence and uncertainty,” Sooka said.
During its four-day visit, the Commission, an independent body mandated by the United Nations Human Rights Council, met with South Sudanese government officials, political and security figures, civil society representatives, victims and survivors, humanitarian organizations, legal professionals, and additional stakeholders.
Survivors, including women and girls, recounted harrowing experiences of sexual violence, killings, displacement, and separation from their families. Several survivors described being denied access to essential support, including medical and psychosocial care, despite having serious and urgent health needs.
The Commission reiterated its concern regarding killings, displacement, attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, disruption of humanitarian operations, and mounting insecurity for humanitarian personnel.
“These developments underscore the urgent need for all parties to comply fully with their obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law and take concrete measures to protect civilians,” it said.
A dire humanitarian emergency
The situation in South Sudan is becoming increasingly dire. Armed conflict, violence, disease, and natural disasters are devastating the lives and livelihoods of millions of people across the country. The situation has left 9.9 million people in need of life-saving assistance. Critical funding shortfalls are further exacerbating the situation.
One major driver of the worsening situation is the resurgence of violence in several parts of the country. Since the beginning of 2026, hostilities have continued to escalate, particularly in Jonglei, Upper Nile, and Unity states. This deterioration comes as political instability and rising hostilities between armed groups lead to clashes, forcing people to flee their homes and restricting humanitarian access.
South Sudan is also facing a rapidly worsening food security crisis. The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis shows that 7.8 million people — more than half the population — are experiencing crisis-level hunger (IPC3) or worse. This includes 2.5 million people facing emergency levels (IPC4) and 73,000 people facing famine conditions (IPC5), amidst a severe lack of funding.
The lack of funding affects more than just food security. It is crippling specialized nutrition and health services and driving up rates of severe wasting. Consequently, the acute malnutrition situation in South Sudan is worsening alongside general food insecurity.
Currently, over 2.2 million children under the age of five are experiencing acute malnutrition and require immediate nutritional services and treatment. Furthermore, an estimated 1.2 million pregnant and breastfeeding women in South Sudan are malnourished.
Though the humanitarian needs in South Sudan are enormous, funding falls far short of what is required. This forces humanitarian organizations to scale back assistance even as needs continue to rise.
The US$1.46 billion 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan prioritizes providing targeted assistance to 4.3 million of the most vulnerable people. However, to date, the plan has only received $522 million—just 36 percent of what is needed.
“Continued support for humanitarian operations, and for UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and its civilian protection mandate, is critical,” the Commission said.
“The people of South Sudan cannot afford for the international response to retreat while the crisis is deepening.”
The high stakes of December's vote
The Commission's visit comes at a pivotal time as South Sudan prepares for the planned December elections. In a recent advisory report, it had warned that elections without essential safeguards and genuine, inclusive political dialogue could fuel renewed conflict and increase the risk of atrocity crimes.
Therefore, the Commission reiterates that elections must be accompanied by conditions that ensure meaningful political participation, respect for fundamental freedoms, civilian protection, and confidence in the electoral process.
“The political failures of South Sudan’s leaders continue to reproduce the conditions for damaging violence,” said Commissioner Barney Afako.
“Implementation of the Revitalized Agreement has stalled, but its objectives for delivering a transformed, democratic and peaceful South Sudan remain as relevant as ever, and must be protected.”
Even as the country heads toward elections, political and civic space has narrowed, and many of the safeguards and conditions necessary for peaceful and credible polls are still missing.
“South Sudanese do have a right to vote; that right must be protected by ensuring they can participate freely, compete fairly, and resolve any electoral disputes through credible adjudication,” Afako said.
“These are the safeguards that will prevent an election from becoming a trigger for violence and disruption.”
The Commission reiterated its call for a genuine and inclusive political dialogue that involves all relevant political actors, including the South Sudanese First Vice President Riek Machar and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement - In Opposition (SPLM-IO) group, as well as other holdout groups, civil society, women, and youth.
It also called for the release of detained political opponents, unless they are promptly brought before an independent and impartial court for proceedings that comply with international human rights standards and due process guarantees.
During the visit, the Commission noted the lack of progress since its 2025 report on corruption and economic crimes. That report documented how entrenched corruption and the diversion and misallocation of public resources undermine the rights of South Sudanese citizens.
The Commission stressed that the consequences of weak governance and corruption are directly felt by the population, especially as humanitarian needs intensify, and international humanitarian funding becomes more limited.
Urgent calls for action
The Commission urged the government and all political and armed groups to swiftly support de-escalation and civilian protection, guarantee safe and unobstructed humanitarian access, establish conditions for inclusive political dialogue, promote the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement, and reinforce accountability measures.
The Commission also urged regional and international partners, particularly the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the United Nations, to intensify preventive diplomacy and support an inclusive, consensus-based transition. It urged these actors to use their influence to prevent further escalation and ensure that existing commitments are translated into concrete action.
“South Sudan still has a choice. The people of this country have waited long enough for peace, security and institutions that serve them,” said Sooka.
“The country can move towards elections in a way that deepens division and conflict, or it can use this moment to restore political dialogue, protect civilians and put in place the safeguards needed for a peaceful and credible transition.”
She stressed that genuine dialogue and political will are needed now, not "another cycle of promises."