The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan reported on February 28, 2025, that ongoing impunity and corruption among political leaders are fueling severe human rights violations. The report details persistent violence and sexual abuse, and emphasizes the need for accountability and rebuilding institutions to achieve a successful political transition. Despite substantial revenues from oil, essential services remain neglected, threatening citizens’ well-being and justice.
On February 28, 2025, the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan presented a report highlighting the impunity and corruption that underlie severe human rights violations in the country. Yasmin Sooka, the Commission’s Chair, stated that despite years of independence and peace commitments, political leaders continue to engage in violence, failing the South Sudanese people. This report, revealed through independent investigations conducted in 2024, points to a persistent pattern of abuses linked to political and military elites who perpetuate instability.
The report details brutal violence in Tambura, where ethnic-based attacks by armed forces and militias occurred, exacerbating divisions from the 2021 conflict. Local and national leaders remain implicated in these violent politics without facing accountability. Sooka emphasized that conflict-related sexual violence is widespread, and survivors lack access to crucial healthcare, highlighting a systemic failure to protect future generations.
Commissioner Barney Afako noted the relationship between rampant human rights violations and the absence of accountability in governance. He called attention to the need for building credible institutions as outlined in the Revitalized Peace Agreement. As the parties to this Agreement extended their transitional political arrangements by two years, he urged them to utilize this time effectively for meaningful political transitions.
The Commission’s report underscores the severe funding constraints affecting public institutions despite government revenues from oil amounting to approximately $3.5 billion between September 2022 and August 2024. Essential services, including judicial and healthcare facilities, remain neglected, perpetuating a cycle where corruption robs citizens of justice and basic needs. Commissioner Carlos Castresana Fernández insisted that without addressing corruption, peace agreements will yield little substantial change.
Additionally, the report discusses the contentious “Green Book” law introduced in Warrap in 2024, which authorizes extrajudicial killings for offenses related to cattle raiding. This law has fostered lawlessness and escalated tensions, selectively targeting groups in conflicts while the judiciary remains understaffed and underfunded. Fernández highlighted the urgent need for funding and support for Safeguarding justice in Warrap to prevent further violence.
During their recent visit to South Sudan, the Commissioners interacted with survivors of human rights abuses. Sooka affirmed the need for political will to break the cycle of violations, emphasizing the long-standing neglect of essential institutions such as courts, hospitals, and schools. The Commission continues to advocate for accountability and the establishment of a functional governance framework in the country.
The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan’s report reveals the critical issues of impunity and corruption among political leaders that fuel ongoing human rights violations. Despite substantial oil revenues, vital public services remain underfunded, hindering progress towards justice and stability. The need to uphold the Revitalized Peace Agreement and rebuild effective institutions is paramount for creating lasting peace and safeguarding the rights of South Sudan’s citizens.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
