**United Nations Human Rights Council**
**58th Session**
**Interactive Dialogue on OHCHR report on technical assistance for South Sudan**
**1 April 2025**
**EU Statement**
Mr Vice/President, Mr High Commissioner,
We thank you for your update on the human rights situation in South Sudan.
We are deeply concerned by recent escalations of violence in Upper Nile and other parts of the country. The SRSG has warned that South Sudan is on the brink of a new civil war. We therefore urge all parties to immediately halt all hostilities and engage in sincere efforts for de-escalation, including the immediate release of Vice President Machar. We urge all sides to immediately return to the Revitalized Peace Agreement and stop any further unilateral action that aggravates the situation. We call on the government to meaningfully engage in constructive dialogue and regionally-led mediation initiatives.
South Sudan’s people face a dire humanitarian situation that threatens to further deteriorate dramatically. Continued reports of civilian lives lost and rampant sexual and gender-based violence show: it is long overdue that the South Sudanese authorities muster the political will to focus on their primary responsibility, namely to protect their people.
We acknowledge the crucial role of technical assistance and capacity building by OHCHR in South Sudan. Yet, the most recent developments reaffirm that the complementary mandate of an independent investigative mechanism remains imperative.
Mr High Commissioner,
What steps can the international community take to support de-escalation of the situation in South Sudan?
Thank you.