At least 25 civilians, including children and women, were killed in Pankor, Ayod County, South Sudan, in an attack reportedly carried out by forces allied to the government, who had allegedly tricked villagers with promises of humanitarian aid before opening fire.
The incident, which took place on February 21, 2026, has drawn strong condemnation from the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights for its deliberate targeting of non-combatants under the guise of relief efforts.
In a statement released on Friday, the commission described the killings as extrajudicial and a blatant violation of human rights, underscoring the state’s failure to protect its citizens.
The body highlighted that such attacks breach fundamental rights enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, including the right to life, dignity, and freedom.
The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces are accused of luring villagers out of their homes with promises of food assistance, only to open fire, resulting in the deaths of many innocent residents. The commission called the massacre “a deeply troubling act that shows a disregard for civilian safety and international norms.”
"The Commission, through the Country Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Republic of South Sudan, Honourable Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso, follows with concern recent developments related to the indiscriminate killing of civilians in South Sudan," the statement read.
The African Commission urged the government to launch an independent investigation into the attack, ensure those responsible are held accountable, and provide reparations to the victims’ families.
It stressed that perpetrators must be brought to justice regardless of rank or political affiliation, and that civilian protection, especially for women and children, must be strengthened.
The rights body further called for an immediate halt to hostilities and advocated for an inclusive national dialogue to prevent a slide back into large-scale conflict. It warned that continuing violence against civilians constitutes serious breaches of both international humanitarian law and human rights obligations.
"The Commission recalls that, under the African Charter, the State bears primary responsibility not only for violations directly attributable to it, but also for violations arising from its failure to protect citizens from violent acts, particularly those committed by armed forces," the statement added.
The commission said it will continue to closely monitor the situation and engage with authorities to ensure measures are taken to end attacks on civilians and address ongoing human rights violations.
In a separate reaction, the European Union delegation, alongside the embassies of Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, United Kingdom and United States expressed shock over the killings, describing them as deliberate and unacceptable.
The diplomats called for immediate accountability for those responsible, regardless of their political or military position.
