A joint report released Wednesday by the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) revealed a pattern of arbitrary detention in South Sudan as well as human rights abuses committed by government security forces and organized armed groups.
The report, which covers the period from January 2023 to May 2024, documents numerous cases of arbitrary arrests and detentions, including those of women and girls who have been detained for refusing arranged marriages or seeking divorce. The report also highlights the use of detention as a tool of intimidation against journalists, human rights defenders, and political opponents.
According to the report, men make up the majority of victims subjected to arbitrary arrests and detentions, resulting in significant economic and social impacts on their families. The report also notes that persons with mental health conditions or psychosocial disabilities are often imprisoned without due process, amounting to arbitrary detention. The report attributes the widespread arbitrary detention to weak justice systems, lack of accountability, and the erosion of the rule of law in South Sudan. It also notes that the practice of arbitrary detention contributes to poverty, disrupts economic development, and exacerbates diseases. In light of the upcoming elections in December 2026, the report emphasizes the critical need for ongoing technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives to strengthen the administration of justice at both national and state levels.
UNMISS and OHCHR have called on the government of South Sudan to end arbitrary detentions and ensure that all detainees are treated in accordance with international human rights standards. The report also recommends prompt independent investigations and prosecutions of those responsible for human rights violations.
The report also notes, “On 28 July 2022, the Government of South Sudan inaugurated an ad hoc Judicial Reform Committee […] tasked with reviewing relevant laws, advising on judicial reforms, and reshaping the judiciary to enhance its effectiveness.” The report goes on to say that “Although the Committee’s report has yet to be made public, some recommendations are expected to establish an independent and effective judicial system that promotes equal access to justice, is inclusive and gender-sensitive, and protects vulnerable groups from violence and discrimination.”
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), almost 70 percent of South Sudan’s population, equivalent to 9.3 million people, is expected to need some form of humanitarian assistance next year. The current appeal focuses on aiding the most vulnerable groups among them. South Sudan faces numerous challenges contributing to its humanitarian needs, such as conflict, climate-related shocks, economic instability, disease outbreaks, and the repercussions of the war in neighboring Sudan. Since April of last year, over 900,000 people have crossed the border into South Sudan, with an additional 337,000 arrivals anticipated in the coming year.
