The United Nations has expressed deep concern over the escalating violence in South Sudan, warning that the country’s human rights situation may further deteriorate.
Since February, hostilities have intensified between the national army, SSPDF, and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition, SPLA-IO, led by First Vice President Riek Machar, resulting in at least 75 civilian deaths and thousands displaced.
The conflict, which reignited recent tensions between the groups that clashed in 2013 before a fragile 2018 peace accord, poses a significant risk of exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has urged all parties to uphold the 2018 peace agreement and protect civilians and humanitarian access.
Additionally, Türk expressed concern over arbitrary detentions, citing the arrest of at least 55 high-ranking government officials affiliated with the SPLM-IP without warrant or due process.
The UN has also called for the immediate release of those detained and for authorities to grant access to detention sites to assess the welfare of detainees.
Furthermore, the UN is pushing for prompt action to halt the spread of hate speech in the country.
The situation in South Sudan remains fragile, with ongoing displacements and a deepening humanitarian crisis.
The country has experienced over four million displacements since the conflict began, with 2.4 million people still displaced, contributing to one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.
