UN Reports Sharp Rise in Grave Violations Against Children in South Sudan
Credit: UNICEF USA
The United Nations has verified 555 grave violations against 383 children in South Sudan in 2025, including killings, recruitment, sexual violence, abductions and attacks on schools and hospitals.
According to the U.N. Secretary-General’s annual report on children and armed conflict, the violations affected 272 boys, 104 girls and seven children whose sex was not identified. The report covers violations verified between January and December 2025.
The U.N. said 147 children were recruited and used by various armed and security forces. Those identified included the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-Army in Opposition, forces loyal to Brigadier General James Nando, the South Sudan National Police Service, the National Security Service and the National Salvation Front.
Thirty-one children were released, including following U.N. advocacy, while 56 escaped.
The report said 197 children were killed or maimed. The casualties were attributed to several parties, including the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces, forces loyal to Brigadier General James Nando, the National Salvation Front, the National Security Service, the South Sudan National Police Service and unidentified perpetrators.
The U.N. said 32 of the casualties resulted from explosive weapons, while 30 were caused by crossfire between armed forces or armed groups.
The report also documented sexual violence against 28 girls. Nineteen cases were attributed to the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces, four to the SPLM/A-IO, four to the South Sudan National Police Service and one to an unidentified perpetrator. Twenty-two cases involved rape and six involved gang rape.
The U.N. further verified 40 attacks on schools and hospitals, including attacks on protected persons. Eight schools and two hospitals were also used for military purposes.
At least 102 children were abducted, with 65 taken for recruitment and use. Twenty children were subsequently released, while 56 escaped.
Twelve incidents involving the denial of humanitarian access were also verified. Nine were attributed to the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces, one each to the SPLM/A-IO and National Salvation Front, and one to unidentified perpetrators amid crossfire. Eight incidents involved interference in humanitarian activities.
The U.N. Secretary-General expressed grave concern over what the report described as a significant increase in grave violations against children, particularly killings and maimings, recruitment and use, sexual violence, and attacks on schools and hospitals.
The report urged all parties to immediately cease and prevent violations against children, hold perpetrators accountable and take measures to protect civilians and protected facilities during military operations.
The U.N. also welcomed cooperation by parties to the conflict in facilitating the release of children and providing reintegration support. It urged the South Sudanese government to provide the United Nations with unimpeded access to military sites and ensure the release and reintegration of children associated with armed forces and groups.
The report further called on the government to continue implementing its action plan to end and prevent the six grave violations against children and to ensure adequate funding for child protection efforts. It also urged continued commitment to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, including provisions relating to children.
