UN Report: Unprecedented Surge in Violence Against Civilians in South Sudan During First Quarter of 2025

Juba – Al-Wadi Newspaper

A report released by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has revealed a worrying escalation in violence against civilians, recording the highest number of victims in any three-month period since 2020, amid intensifying armed conflict in several states across the country.

According to the report, which covers the period from January to March 2025, a total of 1,607 civilians were affected, including 739 killed, 679 injured, 149 abducted, and 40 subjected to conflict-related sexual violence. This marks an 86% increase compared to the last quarter of 2024, which recorded only 866 victims.

Warrap State recorded the highest toll, with 428 people killed and 298 injured, while Central Equatoria saw a significant spike in abductions and a 260% increase in the total number of victims.

The report also highlighted a sharp rise in the number of child victims, increasing from 114 to 171. Meanwhile, women and girls continued to be disproportionately affected by sexual and gender-based violence, accounting for 98% of the documented victims in these categories.

The findings attributed 66% of the attacks to community-based militias and local defense groups, while 22% were committed by unidentified armed elements. Armed groups and conventional parties to the conflict were responsible for 15% of the violations, reflecting a 27% increase from the previous quarter.

UNMISS stressed that the intensification of armed clashes has significantly worsened the situation for civilians and resulted in grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.

Guang Cong, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in South Sudan, stated that “the government bears the primary responsibility for protecting civilians and preventing the escalation of conflict, which continues to cause serious harm to local communities.” He called for coordinated national and regional efforts to address the root causes of violence, promote dialogue and accountability, and break the cycle of bloodshed.

UNMISS reaffirmed its commitment to supporting civilian protection by conducting thousands of land, air, and river patrols annually, backing local reconciliation initiatives, strengthening justice institutions, and deploying mobile courts to remote areas as part of its broader mission to promote justice and sustainable peace in South Sudan.