South Sudan ceasefire monitors record 76 new violations as tensions deepen

JUBA – South Sudan’s fragile peace deal faced renewed strain after ceasefire monitors recorded 76 new violations, raising concerns about the commitment of the signatories to achieving peace and stability.

According to the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM), the violations were recorded across several parts of Upper Nile State and north-eastern Jonglei State, involving clashes between SPLA-IO and SSPDF.

The violations, which include 21 incidents of hostilities between the signatory parties, 25 alleged incidents of violence, 3 alleged incidents of sexual and gender-based violence, and 27 other alleged violations of different types, were reported amid escalating political tensions, unlawful detentions of SPLM-IO officials, and a deepening political impasse.

The reports claimed the government used the gunships and aircraft in offensives against SPLA-IO forces in Upper Nile and Jonglei State since December 2025.

The report published on Wednesday noted a total of 76 alleged violations of Chapter II of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS 2018) by the signatory parties.

“Of those, the MVT with the highest number of recorded violations was Malakal, 34 in total, a team that covers Upper Nile State and north-eastern Jonglei State,” it said.

Airstrikes were reported in several areas of Ulang, Nasir in Upper Nile State, and Jonglei State from November to December 2025, with reports of civilian casualties and displacement after SSPDF airstrikes targeted armed youth, it said.

“Multiple sources indicated airstrikes were subsequently carried out on 29 December on parts of Lankien Town, Nyirol County, causing civilian deaths,” it said.

It said both SSPDF and SPLM/A-IO reported to CTSAMVM details of serious direct hostilities between their forces from 23 December onwards in Waat payam, Nyirol County, Jonglei State.

“The SSPDF barracks was allegedly attacked by SPLM/A-IO forces, leading to significant numbers of combat deaths and the capture of weapons and military equipment.”

It said these events indicate that the Permanent Ceasefire has been repeatedly violated by signatory parties during December 2025 and is currently not holding in the Upper Nile and Jonglei regions.

In late March 2025, the government announced Machar had been placed under house arrest, despite the United Nations Mission in South Sudan calling for restraint amid rising tensions across the country.

SPLM-IO said Machar’s arrest was a violation of the 2018 peace agreement that formed the unity government.

The report noted that in some parts of the country, civilians, including women and children, have borne the brunt of the fallout and have suffered serious human rights and humanitarian law violations, including death, injury, and displacement due to military operations and connected armed clashes.