“South Sudan’s political transition is falling apart“Commissioner Barney Afako told the Assembly. “The ceasefire is not holding, Political detentions have become a tool of repression, key provisions of the peace agreement are being systematically violated, and government forces are using aerial bombardments on civilian areas.. “All indicators point to a retreat toward another deadly war.”
Fighting intensifies
The Commission noted that fighting has intensified since March, internally displacing more than 370,000 civilians and driving many more to neighboring countries.
Across South Sudan, almost 2.6 million people remain displaced, in addition to some 600,000 refugees, mostly from Sudan.
“The suffering of the people of South Sudan is not collateral damage: it is the direct consequence of political failure,” said commission president Yasmin Sooka.
“Once again, civilians are bombed, women are raped, children are displaced and forcibly recruited into combat roles.and entire communities live in fear; All of this is a tragic repetition of South Sudan’s painful past. “This war against the people of South Sudan is man-made and preventable.”
The researchers highlighted the increasing complexity of the conflict, with political power struggles intertwined with ethnic tensions and local grievances.
Government reshuffles and partisan appointments have deepened distrust among signatories to the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, while localized fighting is exploited for political and military gain.
Billions extracted, ‘while the population goes hungry’
Commissioner Carlos Castresana Fernández linked the crisis to corruption: “Billions of oil revenue diverted while people starve. Hospitals have no medicines, schools have no teachers and soldiers receive no remuneration while the elites enrich themselves through opaque contracts and off-budget agreements. Corruption is not a side effect of the conflict, it is one of its drivers,” he stated.
The Commission’s report also details ongoing sexual violence, forced recruitment of children and extrajudicial executions, with the complicity of national authorities in some cases.
Rule of law institutions remain underfunded and promises to reform detention powers have largely gone unfulfilled.
The researchers called on the UN, the African Union and regional partners to ensure accountability, accelerate the establishment of the Hybrid Court for South Sudan and engage the political class in an inclusive process.
Handshakes are not enough
“Peace will not come through words or handshakes.” Sooka said. “It will be achieved through concrete actions: ending impunity, protecting civilians and building institutions that serve the people, not power. Justice and accountability must no longer be postponed promises. The international community must go beyond expressions of concern and take concrete and coordinated action. Otherwise, the suffering will only intensify.”
The South Sudan Human Rights Commission, established by the UN Human Rights Council in 2016, is an independent body tasked with investigating human rights violations in the country. Its mandate is renewed annually and its members serve without receiving any salary.