UN RIGHTS CHIEF URGES WARRING SIDES IN SOUTH SUDAN TO 'PULL BACK FROM THE BRINK'. (PHOTO)

 UN Rights Chief Urges Warring Sides in South Sudan to 'Pull Back from the Brink'

Juba, South Sudan – May 23, 2025 

 The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has issued a stark warning to the warring factions in South Sudan, calling on them to "pull back from the brink" as escalating violence threatens to plunge the country into deeper turmoil.

In a statement released from Geneva, Türk expressed grave concern over the intensifying clashes between government forces and opposition groups in several regions, including Unity, Upper Nile, and Jonglei states. The ongoing violence has displaced tens of thousands, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation.

"The people of South Sudan have endured more than a decade of suffering, displacement, and shattered hopes for peace," said Türk. "The recent escalation in hostilities threatens to unravel fragile gains and risks pushing the country back into full-scale conflict."

The warning comes amid reports of mass killings, sexual violence, and destruction of civilian infrastructure. The UN Human Rights Office has documented numerous human rights violations, prompting calls for accountability and renewed international engagement.

Türk urged all parties to immediately cease hostilities and return to dialogue under the framework of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, which has seen limited progress in implementation.

"This is a critical moment for South Sudan. Leaders on all sides must prioritize the lives and dignity of their people over military ambitions or political rivalries," Türk said. "The world is watching, and the time to act is now."

The UN has also appealed for increased humanitarian access to affected communities, warning that without urgent support, millions face the risk of famine, disease, and further displacement.

South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, gained independence from Sudan in 2011 but has been mired in conflict for most of its existence. While the 2018 peace deal brought a temporary reprieve, sporadic violence and political instability continue to plague the nation.

Regional and international actors, including the African Union and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), are being urged to intensify diplomatic efforts to bring all factions back to the negotiating table.

For now, the UN's top human rights official is appealing for restraint, warning that failure to do so could result in catastrophic consequences for the country and its people.