UN rights chief demands ceasefire in South Sudan amid war crimes fears

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has issued an urgent call for an immediate ceasefire in South Sudan, expressing grave concern over reports of widespread violations that could amount to war crimes. In a statement released Tuesday, Turk detailed how intensifying hostilities between government troops and opposition fighters have led to a sharp rise in civilian casualties and displacement across the African nation.

“Civilians are being brutally killed, injured and displaced on a daily basis across South Sudan as hostilities escalate between the army and opposition forces,” Turk stated, emphasizing that some documented acts may cross the threshold into war crimes. His office reported that at least 139 people were killed on March 1 in Abiemnom locality, allegedly by fighters from the Bul Nuer ethnic group, while another 21 civilians died in a separate incident on Feb. 21 in Jonglei State at the hands of government forces.

Destruction of water sources and mass displacement

In addition to the loss of life, the UN human rights office highlighted the destruction of critical infrastructure, noting that government forces have allegedly destroyed or contaminated community water sources. Civilians in affected areas report that approximately 99 wells were either destroyed or poisoned during airstrikes, compounding the humanitarian crisis. The violence has forced more than 280,000 people to flee their homes since late December, including thousands who evacuated Akobo town following a recent military order. The instability in South Sudan, a nation already grappling with internal strife, is being closely monitored by Türkiye, which maintains humanitarian interests in the region.

Turk urges dialogue and humanitarian access

Turk stressed that a ceasefire is essential not only to save lives but also to create conditions for a negotiated resolution to the conflict. “There must a ceasefire as promptly as possible, to save lives and turn this conflict in the direction of a negotiated solution,” he urged, calling on all warring parties to resume dialogue and guarantee unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to besieged civilian populations.