Violence in Nasir County, South Sudan, has resulted in thousands of displacements and injuries amidst ongoing conflict between the SSPDF and local youth. The failure to implement security reforms has contributed to instability, leading to calls for a unified military force. Recent airstrikes by the SSPDF have heightened tensions and could violate international law, necessitating urgent action to protect civilians.
Recent violence in Nasir County, South Sudan, presents escalating threats to local communities and could worsen an already critical situation. The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) have been engaged in ongoing confrontations with local armed youth since early 2024, exacerbated by an attack on civilians at a marketplace on February 14, 2025, which led to significant displacement and injuries, including that of a peacekeeper.
The violence reflects a dangerous failure to rectify past abuses and implement crucial security measures outlined in the 2018 revitalized peace agreement, such as security sector reform and disarmament. Due to unfulfilled political agreements and a lack of cohesive military forces, clashes between government troops and local groups are on the rise throughout the country, leaving communities vulnerable.
Local residents in Nasir have persistently requested a unified military presence instead of the existing national defense forces, which have a history of abusing civilians. From February 22, authorities deployed troops, including ethnic militias not part of the formal unification process, prompting local youth to organize out of fear of disarmament and potential attacks. The SSPDF has attributed the unrest to the SPLA/IO, accusing them of inciting violence among the youth.
On February 25, the SSPDF conducted airstrikes against SPLA/IO positions while attempting to calm local youth, resulting in unintended strikes on civilian areas that dangerously escalated the conflict. Such actions could violate international humanitarian law, specifically the prohibition against attacks that do not distinguish between military and civilian targets, potentially constituting war crimes.
To ensure civilian protection, authorities must foster dialogue among communities and the SSPDF, integrating local perspectives into security frameworks and addressing impunity for past abuses. The international community should support initiatives aimed at accountability and civilian protection to mitigate ongoing violence, as failure to act will result in continued civilian suffering.
The recent surge of violence in Nasir County encapsulates the broader instability facing South Sudan as political and military divisions persist. With ongoing abuses by national defense forces and the absence of a unified military solution, communities remain at risk. Strengthening civilian protection and accountability measures is crucial to fostering peace and preventing further humanitarian crises.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
