The United Nations has called for an urgent ceasefire in South Sudan as escalating clashes between government and opposition forces leave civilians dead, displaced, and at risk of further atrocities.
According to the UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, more than 160 people have been killed and over 280,000 forced from their homes in just 17 days since fighting intensified in January.
Türk expressed alarm over widespread violations of human rights and international law, highlighting brutal attacks on civilians, the poisoning and destruction of water sources, and large-scale forced displacement.
In one of the deadliest incidents, at least 139 civilians were killed on 1 March by fighters from the Bul Nuer ethnic group in Abiemnom locality, Ruweng Administrative Area.
The UN chief said, “Civilians are being brutally killed, injured and displaced on a daily basis across South Sudan as hostilities escalate between the army and opposition forces. Some of these acts may amount to war crimes.”
Government forces have also been implicated in violence. On 21 February, soldiers in Pankor village, Ayod County, Jonglei State, lured civilians with promises of food aid before opening fire, killing 21 people, including 15 women and three girls.
On the same day, four civilians, an elderly man, a woman, a boy, and a girl, were tied up and beheaded by soldiers in Thiam village, Wau Payam, Western Bahr al Ghazal State.
The South Sudanese military has further intensified civilian displacement. On 6 March, it issued orders for residents in Akobo town and nearby villages to evacuate and instructed UN and NGO facilities to close. Thousands fled, while UN peacekeepers remained to provide protection. Türk warned that such forced evacuations would only worsen civilian suffering.
“There must [be] a ceasefire as promptly as possible, to save lives and turn this conflict in the direction of a negotiated solution,” he said.
Reports indicate that armed forces have destroyed or poisoned nearly 99 community water wells, cutting off access to safe drinking water for thousands of civilians.
Türk stressed the urgency of holding those responsible accountable.
“There must be prompt, impartial, thorough and effective investigations into these and all other alleged violations of the laws of war and of international human rights law which are taking place. And those found responsible must be fully held to account, including those bearing superior and command responsibility,” he said.
Since late December, fighting has forced more than 280,000 people to flee across Jonglei, Lakes, and Upper Nile States. Türk urged both sides to return to dialogue and called on the international community to step in to prevent the situation from escalating into a full-scale civil war.
