By Micah Jonah, February 28, 2026
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has warned of a sharp rise in violence in South Sudan, urging immediate measures to prevent a return to full-scale civil war.
Recent weeks have seen escalating clashes as the power-sharing deal between Salva Kiir and Riek Machar unravels. Turk reported a 45% rise in rights violations in January, including 21 civilians killed in Ayod County and more than 5,100 killed or wounded in 2025, a 40% increase from 2024. Sexual violence and abductions have surged, with 550 civilians kidnapped last year.
The UN stressed that without political dialogue, security, and humanitarian support, South Sudan risks protracted displacement and worsening humanitarian crises, with over 250,000 people displaced in the past two months.
