JUBA — South Sudanese civil society networks have raised alarm over a “rapidly deteriorating” security situation, warning that the country risks relapsing into large-scale violence with devastating consequences for civilians.
In a joint statement issued following a virtual meeting held on January 21, 2026, the civil society groups said they assessed growing military and communal threats across the country and discussed the need for coordinated action among sub-national civil society actors to avert further bloodshed.
The networks pointed to escalating military confrontations between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) and the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) in Jonglei, Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria, Unity, and Upper Nile states.
According to the statement, the fighting has intensified forced and voluntary recruitment of civilians into armed groups, particularly in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Jonglei, Upper Nile, and Western Equatoria states.
They estimate that the renewed hostilities have resulted in widespread loss of life and property, destroyed livelihoods, and displaced approximately 1.05 million people within the last month alone, plunging communities into fear, uncertainty, and humanitarian distress.
The statement also highlighted the rise in communal violence across Lakes, Warrap, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Western Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria, Unity, and Central Equatoria states.
The presence of Ambororo nomads, described by the groups as a growing and provocative threat, was cited as an additional source of tension, particularly in Central Equatoria, Western Equatoria, and Northern Bahr el Ghazal.
They called on President Salva Kiir and the Presidency to immediately pause hostilities and unconditionally release the suspended First Vice President, arguing that such actions would help prevent crimes against humanity and potential genocide, especially in Jonglei State and the Greater Upper Nile region.
The groups said an immediate cessation of hostilities would halt coercive recruitment of civilians, allow displaced people to access humanitarian assistance, and create a conducive environment for dialogue and the peaceful implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), including the resumption of the Tumaini Initiative.
Civil society leaders also strongly condemned what they termed dangerous rhetoric by political and military leaders, warning that such language could incite mass killings of civilians. They urged communities in Jonglei State to reject ethnic and tribal narratives being promoted by some leaders amid the ongoing conflict.
Furthermore, the statement called on the national Ministry of Peacebuilding, in collaboration with state governments, to urgently address inter-communal, intra-communal, and age-set conflicts in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Central Equatoria, Western Equatoria, and GPAA, including tensions linked to the presence of Ambororo groups.
The networks commended humanitarian organizations for their continued support to displaced and vulnerable populations across the country and appealed for sustained assistance in light of growing humanitarian needs.
The statement was issued jointly by civil society networks from South Sudan’s ten states, Greater Pibor Administrative Area, and Ruweng Administrative Area.