10 March 2026
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk
said on Tuesday he was horrified by growing accounts of
serious violations during the ongoing conflict in South
Sudan, including gruesome killings of civilians, the
destruction and poisoning of key water sources, and fresh
waves of mass displacement.
Over the past 17 days,
over 160 civilians have been killed, including at least 139
on 1 March by fighters from the Bul Nuer ethnic group in
Abiemnom locality in the Ruweng Administrative Area in the
north of the country.
On 21 February, 21 civilians
were killed by government forces in Pankor village, Ayod
County, Jonglei State in the east. The soldiers lured them
into gathering at one place promising to give them food aid
then opened fire on them. Fifteen women and three girls were
among those killed. On the same day, soldiers reportedly
tied up and beheaded four civilians – one elderly man, a
woman, a boy, and a girl – in Thiam village.
On 6
March, the military issued an evacuation order for all
civilians in Akobo town and surrounding villages in the
east. It also directed the closure and withdrawal of the UN
Mission in South Sudan’s temporary operating base in
Akobo, in Jonglei State, as well as other UN agencies and
NGOs. UNMISS responded saying at its peacekeepers will
remain in Akobo, providing a protective presence for
civilians. Latest reports indicate that thousands of
civilians have fled the town.
“Civilians are being
brutally killed, injured and displaced on a daily basis
across South Sudan as hostilities escalate between the army
and opposition forces,” said Türk. “Some of these acts
may amount to war crimes.”
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The South Sudanese armed
forces have also reportedly destroyed or intentionally
contaminated community water sources. Civilians who spoke to
the UN Human Rights Office said approximately 99 wells were
destroyed or poisoned with unidentified substances during
government airstrikes.
“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.”
More than 280,000 people have been
displaced in South Sudan since late December – in Jonglei,
Lakes and Upper Nile States.
“The displacement of
thousands of civilians from Akobo over the weekend and the
chilling spectre of armed violence will only serve to
compound the anxiety and suffering the civilian population
has endured since hostilities resumed in January,” said
Türk.
“There must be a ceasefire as promptly as
possible, to save lives and turn this conflict in the
direction of a negotiated solution.”
He called for
intensified engagement by the international community with
the parties to the conflict, to bring an end to the surging
violence. He also urged the parties to the conflict to
desist from attacking civilians and civilian objects, and to
ensure safe and sustained flow of humanitarian aid to all in
need, consistent with their obligations under international
law.
The UN Human Rights Chief renewed his call on
parties to the conflict to urgently return to dialogue.
“Both parties must take prompt and meaningful steps, with
the support of the international community, to rescue the
fledgling peace agreement. South Sudan must be pulled back
from the brink of all-out civil war,” said
Türk.
