UN warns South Sudan peace deal on brink of collapse
The United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan issued a stark warning on June 13, cautioning that the 2018 peace agreement is in danger of unraveling. The Commission is urging immediate and coordinated action from regional powers to rescue the fragile accord, as reported by Sudans Post, a digital independent publication known for its in-depth coverage of Sudan and South Sudan.
Yasmin Sooka, Chair of the Commission, highlighted a concerning rise in military offensives, political repression, and foreign troop activity, stating that these developments are accelerating the deterioration of the peace process.
She emphasised that the escalating violence is sowing fear, deepening instability, and inflicting widespread psychological trauma across the country.
“South Sudan’s peace agreement is in crisis. The renewed violence is pushing the Revitalized Peace Agreement to the brink of irrelevance, threatening a total collapse. Such a breakdown risks fragmenting the country even further,” Sooka stated.
Sooka appealed to both the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to act swiftly in order to prevent the agreement from falling apart.
Sooka also urged regional powers to exert pressure on South Sudanese leaders to lower tensions, re-engage in genuine political dialogue, and move forward with the full implementation of the 2018 peace accord.
“It remains the only credible pathway to stability, peace, and democratic transition,” she added.
Since March 2025, the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) have intensified military operations across several regions, reportedly carrying out airstrikes in areas populated by civilians. The assaults have resulted in numerous casualties and the displacement of large numbers of people.
In response to the ongoing offensives, authorities have declared a state of emergency in multiple regions where fighting continues.
Allegations of Ugandan forces providing support to the SSPDF have further raised alarm, as has the South Sudanese government’s reported recruitment of thousands of new troops.
South Sudan is facing a sharp escalation in political unrest, marked by the arbitrary detention of prominent opposition figures and a surge in military activity by the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF).
These operations have reportedly targeted both armed opposition groups and civilian-populated areas, contributing to growing instability.
The intensifying conflict has further worsened the country’s already dire humanitarian and human rights situation.
In Upper Nile State, civilians are bearing the brunt of the violence. The region, which is already experiencing emergency-level food insecurity, has become a critical route for refugees fleeing the ongoing war in neighboring Sudan.
Sudans Post/ Maghrebi.org
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