Rights group calls for stronger actions in South Sudan amid escalating violence – JURIST
Amnesty International expressed concerns on Tuesday about the lack of political will in South Sudan to address ongoing violations of international human rights law amid escalating violence from both internal and cross-border conflicts. Reports indicate that attacks on civilians, political repression and the increasing risk of a wider civil war have pushed the country deeper into crisis.
In February 2025, heavy fights erupted in the Upper Nile region between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and The White Army, a youth militia. The fighting resulted in the mass displacement of civilians, with allegations that government forces instigated the violence by attacking civilians. There are also suspicions of a premeditated attack, followed by aerial bombardments targeting densely populated areas of at least 63,000 people. Reports further highlighted child recruitment by both the SSPDF and the White Army, deepening concerns over human rights abuses.
On March 11, 2025, the spokesperson for the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) confirmed the deployment of special forces in South Sudan to support President Salva Kiir, citing “growing insecurity in the country.” The group said this may violate the 2018 UN Security Council arms embargo by entering South Sudan with armoured and air force units to conduct airstrikes.
On March 18, Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) also fought a two-day battle near the border against the Sudan People Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO), a South Sudanese opposition group led by Machar.
The group also raised concerns about the widespread arbitrary detention that took place in the country. Armed forces reportedly stormed the residence of Machar. They detained him on March 28, accusing him of inciting his supporters to rebel against the government in an alleged attempt to disrupt the upcoming elections. Since mid-February, at least 22 political and military personnel aligned with Machar have been arrested, and Human Rights Watch urged the authorities to reveal their whereabouts.
In 2018, President Salva Kiir and the opposition parties signed a peace deal that ended the civil war. With South Sudan on the brink of another civil war, Amnesty International and international organizations, including the United Nations, are urging the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan to take immediate action because “the alternative is too terrible to contemplate.” Relatedly, the commission also called on parties to adhere to the peace deal on March 28.
