Violence in Nasir County, South Sudan, has intensified, resulting in the displacement of thousands. Clashes began when the SSPDF attacked civilians, prompting conflict with local youth. The situation highlights the failures in implementing security reforms from the peace agreement and the urgent need for accountability and community engagement in safety measures.
Recent violence in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, South Sudan, is heightening security risks for local communities and exacerbating regional instability. The conflict has erupted between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and local youth since early 2024, leading to significant displacement and injuries from renewed clashes that began February 14, 2025, when the SSPDF targeted civilians in a marketplace.
The ongoing conflict is compounded by tensions with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLA/IO) and highlights the urgent need to address unresolved grievances and implement essential security measures from the 2018 revitalized peace agreement. Key reforms, including disarmament and the unification of military forces, remain unimplemented due to persistent political strife, which has allowed clashes between government troops and local groups to proliferate.
Local communities in Nasir have advocated for a unified force instead of the currently deployed national defense troops, which have been implicated in multiple civilian abuses. Despite this, since February 22, authorities have dispatched troops, including ethnic militias, further heightening tensions. Local youth, fearing forced disarmament and potential assaults, have mobilized in response to these deployments.
On February 25, the SSPDF, while calling for the youth to disperse, conducted airstrikes on SPLA/IO positions, which mistakenly struck civilian areas, risking severe escalation of the ongoing conflict. Such actions contravene international humanitarian law, which prohibits indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks, constituting potential war crimes.
The South Sudanese authorities must prioritize civilian protection and rebuild trust with local communities by integrating their perspectives into security initiatives and ensuring accountability for past abuses. The international community is urged to support these accountability efforts; otherwise, civilians will continue to bear the brunt of the violence.
The situation in Nasir County underscores the critical need for immediate action to address conflict dynamics in South Sudan. Continued violence, particularly against civilians, necessitates the reliable implementation of peace agreements and the establishment of trust between the SSPDF and local communities. Without decisive intervention, the cycle of violence and civilian suffering is likely to worsen.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
