South Sudan faces a catastrophic crisis as renewed fighting threatens to plunge the nation back into full-scale civil war, UN experts warned.
Clashes between the government and opposition in recent months have brought the world’s youngest country to the brink of widespread violence.
“South Sudan stands at a critical juncture,” said a group of 16 UN-mandated experts, calling for an immediate halt to hostilities.
The experts urged all parties to engage in meaningful dialogue to prevent further escalation and ensure the protection of civilians.
Since gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan has struggled with civil war, corruption, and extreme poverty, undermining national stability and growth.
A 2018 power-sharing agreement between President Salva Kiir and rival Riek Machar has been unraveling since early 2025, sparking clashes nationwide.
The statement highlighted alarming violence, including sexual assaults against women and girls, and large-scale displacement of vulnerable communities.
Indiscriminate attacks on civilians and aid workers must end, the experts stressed, warning of growing humanitarian consequences across the country.
Destruction of water sources, homes, hospitals, schools, and places of worship has been reported, raising concerns over potential war crimes.
The UN experts cautioned that without immediate, sustained support, millions could face a survival crisis, lacking access to basic humanitarian aid.
They called on the international community to intensify efforts to stop the bloodshed and restore pathways toward lasting peace in South Sudan.
