South Sudan is facing what the UN human rights chief describes as a perilous moment, as a spike in deadly violence threatens to unravel the country’s already fragile peace agreement.
His warning came a day after Western governments accused armed groups linked to the national military of carrying out a massacre.
Authorities in Jonglei State reported that at least 16 people were killed on February 21 by what they called “unruly elements” within the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces.
State information minister Nyamar Ngundeng said the victims may have been caught in crossfire, rejecting claims that soldiers intentionally targeted civilians.
The country has struggled to maintain stability since the 2018 peace deal that ended a brutal five‑year civil war between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those aligned with First Vice President Riek Machar a conflict that claimed nearly 400,000 lives.
Tensions have persisted, and political uncertainty deepened after Machar was suspended last year and charged, along with 20 others, over alleged involvement in militia attacks allegations they deny.
According to UN human rights chief Volker Türk, at least 189 civilians were killed in January alone, marking a 45% rise in human rights violations compared to the previous month.
Addressing the UN Human Rights Council, he warned that the combination of escalating violence and political instability is pushing the country toward a critical breaking point.
Türk cited witness accounts from the recent violence in Jonglei, saying soldiers reportedly ordered civilians to assemble before opening fire, killing 21 unarmed people, including children.
He added that both government and opposition forces appear to have lost control of their troops in Jonglei and Eastern Equatoria, showing “near-total disregard” for civilian safety.
The UN also reports that armed groups from both sides have attacked residential communities across several states, including Upper Nile, Unity, Central Equatoria, Western Bahr el Ghazal, Western Equatoria, and Warrap.
In a joint statement posted on X, the United States, the EU, the UK, and other Western partners said they were “appalled” by credible reports of a deliberate massacre in the Jonglei village of Pankor.
South Sudan’s government spokesperson, Ateny Wek, rejected the accusations, insisting that the military does not intentionally harm civilians and that any deaths likely occurred during crossfire.
Reuters/Hauwa M.