UN Rights Commission Warns Elections Could Trigger Renewed Violence in South Sudan

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By Kidega Livingstone

The United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has warned that continued political failures, renewed violence and delays in implementing the Revitalized Peace Agreement could put civilians and the country’s political transition at greater risk as South Sudan prepares for elections.

The warning came as the Commission concluded its 14th visit to South Sudan, expressing concern over renewed violence, political tensions, shrinking civic space, entrenched corruption and persistent impunity.

During its four-day mission, the Commission met with government authorities, political and security actors, civil society representatives, victims and survivors, humanitarian and international partners, members of the legal community and other stakeholders.

Commission Chairperson Yasmin Sooka also travelled to Bor, where she met government officials, civil society and humanitarian actors, as well as survivors of recent fighting in northern Jonglei State.

Survivors, including women and girls, reported experiences of sexual violence, killings, displacement and separation from family members. Some said they had been left without adequate medical, psychosocial and other essential support, including survivors with urgent and serious health needs.

“Visit after visit, we continue to hear from people who bear the consequences of violence, displacement, insecurity and the failures of those with political and security responsibilities to prevent and address those harms,” Sooka said.

She said the Commission remained concerned that similar patterns of suffering continued to emerge, with families displaced from their homes, communities living in fear and women and girls facing serious violations.

“The patterns have changed little, while the human cost continues to grow. South Sudanese people deserve better than to have their lives shaped by recurring cycles of violence and uncertainty,” Sooka said.

Commissioner Barney Afako separately warned that political failures and the stalled implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement could create conditions for further violence.

“The political failures of South Sudan’s leaders continue to reproduce the conditions for damaging violence,” Afako said.

He stressed that the objectives of the peace agreement remained important to building a peaceful, democratic and transformed South Sudan and should be protected as the country moves toward elections.

Afako also raised concern over the shrinking political and civic space, saying several safeguards required for peaceful and credible elections remained absent.

“South Sudanese do have a right to vote; that right must be protected by ensuring they can participate freely, compete fairly, and resolve any electoral disputes through credible adjudication,” he said.

The Commissioner cautioned that without adequate safeguards, elections could become a trigger for violence and political disruption rather than a pathway toward democratic transition.

The Commission has previously raised concerns over delays in implementing key provisions of the Revitalized Agreement, including governance reforms, security-sector reforms and transitional justice.

It has also documented restrictions on political and civic participation, stressing that credible elections require meaningful political space, respect for fundamental freedoms and effective mechanisms for resolving electoral disputes.

The Commission’s latest concerns come as South Sudan continues preparations for elections amid persistent insecurity, political tensions and unresolved provisions of the peace agreement.

The UN has repeatedly stressed that protecting civic space, ensuring accountability for human-rights violations and strengthening democratic safeguards are essential to preventing further violence and supporting a peaceful political transition in South Sudan