The United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has issued urgent warnings about escalating violence against civilians amid renewed clashes in Jonglei state. Fighting between the South Sudan People's Defense Force (SSPDF) and Sudan People's Liberation Army-In-Opposition (SPLA-IO) has displaced over 180,000 people since late December 2025, according to authorities.
UN officials expressed alarm at inflammatory rhetoric from military commanders and troop mobilizations, calling these developments 'a dangerous escalation' that threatens the fragile peace process. 'Inflammatory rhetoric calling for violence against civilians is utterly abhorrent and must stop now,' stated UNMISS head Graham Maitland during a press briefing on January 25.
Residents report civilians fleeing to swamps for safety as evacuation orders intensify tensions. The UN has urged South Sudanese leaders to prioritize civilian protection, warning that continued violence risks triggering a full-scale humanitarian crisis and reversing years of diplomatic progress.
