Violence in South Sudan’s Nasir County has intensified, resulting in thousands being displaced and many injured. The ongoing conflict between the SSPDF and local armed youth reflects deeper political failures. Calls for a unified military presence have been ignored, leading to further unrest. Airstrikes targeting SPLA/IO positions also impacted civilians, raising concerns over war crimes. Urgent measures are needed to enhance civilian protection and accountability.
Recent escalations of violence in South Sudan’s Nasir County have placed local communities in jeopardy, threatening to exacerbate the region’s humanitarian crisis. The conflict involves political violence between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and local armed youth since February 2024, culminating in renewed hostilities on February 14, 2025. Attacks, including assaults on civilians in marketplaces, have led to thousands being displaced and many injured, including peacekeeping personnel.
The ongoing clashes reflect the detrimental consequences of neglecting previous abuses and the inability to implement critical security measures from South Sudan’s 2018 peace agreement, which encompass security sector reforms, disarmament, and the unification of various armed factions. Persistent political discord has undermined the peace deal’s efficacy, leaving the nation vulnerable and fostering violent confrontations between government forces and local militias.
Local populations have expressed concerns regarding the deployment of a unified military force instead of the national defense troops with histories of civilian abuses. Following proposals for troop deployment on February 22, the authorities have engaged allied ethnic militias not involved in the formal unification process. This prompted local youth to mobilize amidst fears of disarmament and potential attacks, while the government attributed the violence to incitement by the SPLA/IO.
On February 25, the SSPDF executed airstrikes against SPLA/IO positions while simultaneously urging youth to disperse. Tragically, these strikes also impacted civilian populations, intensifying the potential for further conflict escalation. International law stipulates that indiscriminate attacks are unlawful and may amount to war crimes.
To effectively protect civilians and rebuild trust with communities, the SSPDF must incorporate local perspectives into security strategies and ensure accountability for past abuses. The international community’s support for accountability initiatives is crucial. Without swift action, the humanitarian toll on civilians is likely to continue escalating.
The alarming violence in South Sudan’s Nasir County illustrates a precarious situation for civilians amid ongoing political conflict and a failure in implementing peace agreements. Urgent reforms and the establishment of a unified military force, alongside community engagement and accountability measures, are necessary to protect civilians and restore stability in the region. The international community must bolster these efforts to prevent further humanitarian crises.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
