South Sudan Civil War: War Crimes Fears Mount as UN Peacekeepers Defy Withdrawal Orders

South Sudan's civil war has dramatically escalated in March 2026, with violence reaching levels not seen since the country's devastating 2013–2018 conflict. Over 160 civilians were killed in just 17 days, including 139 by Bul Nuer forces in Abiemnom and 21 by government forces in Pankor, according to the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk warned of potential war crimes and called for an immediate ceasefire, stating that the systematic targeting of civilians based on ethnic identity may constitute crimes against humanity. The UN has called for an independent investigation into the massacres.

In a remarkable act of defiance, UNMISS peacekeepers refused government orders to withdraw from Akobo, Jonglei State, where thousands of civilians have sought refuge inside the UN compound. The peacekeepers stated that their mandate to protect civilians supersedes any government directive, setting up a tense standoff with South Sudanese military authorities.

Government forces have reportedly destroyed or poisoned 99 community water sources in contested areas, a tactic that humanitarian organizations have condemned as a deliberate attempt to force civilian displacement and create conditions of famine. The destruction of water infrastructure affects an estimated 50,000 people.

Over 280,000 people have been displaced since late December 2025, with many fleeing to remote areas with no humanitarian access. Famine risk is mounting rapidly in Jonglei State, where fighting has disrupted the planting season and destroyed food stocks. The World Food Programme has warned that without immediate access, mass starvation is likely within weeks.

The international community's response has been hampered by the focus on the Iran conflict and the Strait of Hormuz crisis. Aid organizations report that donor funding for South Sudan has dropped significantly as resources are redirected to the Middle East, leaving millions of vulnerable South Sudanese without adequate support.