The surge in violence in Upper Nile State, escalating political tensions in Juba, and other political intrigues are threatening to derail South Sudan’s Revitalized Peace Agreement and inflict further pain and suffering on its citizens, the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has warned.
The 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), signed by President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, has faced mounting challenges, particularly in unifying armed groups to form a national army.
President Kiir leads the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), while Dr. Machar heads the SPLM-IO, the main opposition group.
In a press release issued on Saturday, the Commission stated that the armed confrontations in Nasir, including the attack on a UN aircraft that resulted in fatalities, must be condemned and are considered war crimes.
“These incidents are the consequence of political mismanagement, including prolonged delays in the unification of armed forces, as required under the Revitalized Agreement. The targeting and dismissal of opposition figureheads, including ministers and governors, combined with military confrontations and the mobilization of militias, are exacerbating destabilization and fueling violence,” the press release stated.
The release quoted Commission Chair Yasmin Sooka, who emphasized that South Sudan should be moving forward by implementing the provisions of the peace agreement, strengthening institutions, and laying the foundation for democracy.
“Instead, we are witnessing an alarming regression that could erase years of hard-won progress. Rather than fueling division and conflict, leaders must urgently refocus on the peace process, uphold the human rights of South Sudanese citizens, and ensure a smooth transition to democracy,” Sooka added.
Commissioner Barney Afako was also quoted, stating: “What we are witnessing now is a return to the reckless power struggles that have devastated the country in the past.
“South Sudanese have suffered enough. They have endured atrocities, rights violations amounting to serious crimes, economic mismanagement, and ever-worsening security conditions. They deserve respite and peace, not another cycle of war.”
The Commission reminded all parties to the Revitalized Agreement, as well as other South Sudanese stakeholders, of their obligations and responsibilities to respect human rights and to invest in completing the transitional processes. These include constitutional reforms, the establishment of the Truth Commission, the Reparation Authority, and the Hybrid Court—critical mechanisms intended to address the root causes of conflict and break the recurring cycles of political crises and human rights violations.
The Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan is an independent body mandated by the UN Human Rights Council. First established in March 2016, it has been renewed annually since.