The South Sudanese Civil War started in December 2013. It began after a political dispute between Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar. Fighting between Dinka- and Nuer-linked forces killed hundreds of thousands. The war mostly ended with a peace deal in September 2018. But by March 2026, tensions are rising again. The UN warns the country could return to full-scale war.
Volker Turk has warned that civilians in South Sudan are facing extreme violence as fighting intensifies between government troops and opposition groups. Reports describing serious abuses during the ongoing conflict deeply shocked the UN human rights chief, who released a statement on Tuesday. He cautioned that some of the reported actions could be considered war crimes under international law, particularly those involving the deliberate targeting of civilians and other serious violations of human rights during the conflict.
According to the UN human rights office, more than 160 civilians have lost their lives in the past 17 days. At least 139 people reportedly died on March 1 in Abiemnom, located in the Ruweng Administrative Area. Armed fighters from the Bul Nuer ethnic community allegedly carried out the attack.
Another deadly incident occurred earlier, on February 21, when government forces reportedly killed 21 civilians in Pankor village in Jonglei State. Türk said that ordinary people are paying the highest price as the violence grows. He explained that civilians across the country are being killed and wounded, and they are forced to leave their homes almost every day as clashes between the army and opposition groups intensify. He stressed that some of these actions could qualify as war crimes.
The UN reported that government forces may have damaged or contaminated 99 wells used by local communities. Rising violence has displaced over 280,000 people since December. Thousands fled Akobo after a military evacuation. UN rights chief Türk called for an immediate ceasefire to stop the bloodshed and prevent further suffering. He urged peace talks and appealed for humanitarian organisations to be given access so they can deliver ugrengtly needed aid to civillians affected by the fighting.
