Amnesty International has voiced urgent concerns regarding the escalating violence in South Sudan, reflecting a profound lack of political commitment to uphold international human rights laws. Inside this fragile nation, a storm brews, marked by violent clashes and a deteriorating humanitarian situation that threatens to plunge South Sudan into a deeper crisis. Reports reveal that civilians endure relentless attacks, alongside an environment risky enough to lead to an imminent civil war.
Recent skirmishes erupted in February 2025 in the volatile Upper Nile region, where the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) clashed with the youth militia, The White Army. This violence sparked a mass exodus of civilians, with serious allegations surfacing that government forces targeted innocent civilians. Disturbingly, the conflict included tactics such as aerial bombardments and the recruitment of children into armed factions, amplifying the urgent need for protection of human rights.
On March 11, 2025, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) confirmed their armed forces’ arrival in South Sudan to assist President Salva Kiir amidst growing unrest. However, this military support has raised alarms about its potential breach of the 2018 UN Security Council arms embargo, especially given the reported delivery of armoured units and air support.
Adding to the turmoil, on March 18, skirmishes erupted near the border between Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the South Sudanese opposition group SPLA-IO, led by Machar. The situation remains precarious, with reports of widespread arbitrary detentions surfacing, including an alarming incident where armed forces stormed Machar’s residence. Following his detainment on March 28 for alleged incitement, Human Rights Watch has called for transparency regarding the fate of at least 22 other detainees linked to Machar, whose whereabouts remain undisclosed.
In the wake of the 2018 peace agreement, which was intended to end the civil war, Amnesty International alongside various human rights organisations persistently urge the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan to act decisively to prevent the grinding re-emergence of civil war. The stakes could not be higher, with the commission imploring all parties to respect the peace deal as the threat of impending doom looms ever closer.
Amnesty International has urged for stronger actions in South Sudan due to escalating violence and human rights violations amidst fears of a civil war. Recent clashes in the Upper Nile region displaced many civilians, while foreign military involvement raises concerns about breaches of international law. Following the 2018 peace agreement, the situation remains precarious with widespread arbitrary detentions, pressurising the Commission on Human Rights to take immediate action to avert disaster.
The ongoing strife in South Sudan signifies a pivotal point, where an absence of political will juxtaposed with rampant violence threatens to plunge the nation back into civil war. Amnesty International’s call for immediate action is a stark reminder of the dire consequences of inaction. As reports of human rights abuses surge, it becomes clearer than ever that the international community’s attention and intervention are paramount to preserving peace and protecting civilian lives.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
