UN rights experts to assess South Sudan’s worsening crisis

Author: James Atem Kuir | Published: September 4, 2026

Yasmin Sooka [Right], the chairperson of the UN Human Rights Commission, and Barney Afako [Left], UN Human Rights Commissioner during a press briefing in Juba – credit |Atem Jenifer/Eye Radio | February 11, 2022

UN human rights experts will visit South Sudan from 7 to 10 September 2026 to assess the country’s worsening human rights, humanitarian and security situation.

The visit by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan comes amid renewed fighting, rising political tensions and growing concerns over civilians and the peace process.

It will be the Commission’s 14th mission to South Sudan.

The delegation will be led by Commission Chairperson Yasmin Sooka, alongside Commissioners Barney Afako and Carlos Castresana Fernández.

The team is expected to meet government officials, political and security actors, civil society groups, victims and survivors, humanitarian partners, jurists and other stakeholders.

The Commission will assess the impact of renewed fighting and displacement, as well as the continued erosion of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan.

It will also examine conditions for a peaceful, inclusive and credible political transition as the country moves towards its first national elections since independence in 2011.

The Commissioners will visit affected communities and gather information to inform their report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

The Commission will also assess efforts to prevent human rights violations and atrocity crimes, promote accountability and support sustainable peace.

A press conference is scheduled for 10 September 2026 in Juba, where the Commission will present its preliminary findings from the visit.