JUBA — Over 180 have been killed and 250 injured in deadly violence in South Sudan since March, the United Nations said on Tuesday.
An estimated 25,000 civilians have been displaced amid intensifying armed confrontations and airstrikes in Upper Nile State, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
During her recent visit to Malakal, the capital of Upper Nile State, the Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan, Ms. Anita Kiki Gbeho, expressed great worry about the fast-growing violence there.
“I heard first-hand accounts of the impact the violence is having on people. All actors involved in the violence must refrain from harming the population— including humanitarian personnel who risk their lives every day to deliver aid,” Ms. Gbeho said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
Gbeho said the violence hindered access to life-saving humanitarian aid, and she urged disputing parties to avoid killing civilians.
“Since March 2025, armed clashes and aerial bombardments have killed more than 180 people, injured over 250 others, and displaced an estimated 125,000 people,” she said.
She stated that the violence had killed four humanitarian workers and forced six health institutions to close due to looting and destruction.
She noted that such closures come as the country — desperately poor despite its oil wealth — also grapples with a cholera outbreak.
“As recently as yesterday, services at Ulang Hospital — a lifeline for 174,000 people — were suspended following extensive looting of several facilities in the area.”
She said humanitarian access remains restricted, and critical medical supplies are rapidly running out amid an ongoing cholera outbreak that has already claimed 919 lives and infected nearly 49,000 people.
“This latest surge in violence must stop. This violence comes at a time when humanitarian funding is dwindling and urgent needs are rising — not only in Upper Nile but across South Sudan. Today, 9.3 million people across the country require assistance,” she said.
According to the 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan, South Sudan presently receives only 12.6% funding.
Conflict, food insecurity, disease outbreaks, economic crises, climate shocks, and instability in neighboring Sudan have all contributed to a major humanitarian situation.
With the rainy season approaching and the cholera outbreak spreading, speedy and unrestricted access to vulnerable communities, as well as the delivery of crucial supplies, is urgently required to save lives.
Meanwhile, civil society launched citizen-centered civic engagement, empowering residents to consult, take responsibility, and demand government accountability with the goal of promoting peace and stability.
The Community for Empowerment and Progress Organization (CEPO) launched citizen-centered civic engagement called ‘Citizens Talks’ for Peace under the campaign of ‘No Return to War.’
Mr. Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of CEPO, said it is time to consultatively undertake actions that bring citizens together in a non-violent manner.
“The citizens talk for peace will be symbolized by the No Return to War Touch that will be moved from state to state for driving people-to-people dialogue for peace and stability,” he said.
He added, “The Citizens Talks for Peace will be carried out at the state level and involve non-partisan civic engagement by citizens for peace and stability.”
The ‘Citizens Talks for Peace’ is a national political accountability effort that will bring citizens together to achieve peace and silence the guns.
It is interpersonal communication aimed at fostering a culture of peace and nonviolence. A people-to-people discussion to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence.
