Civil society organizations across South Sudan have sounded the alarm over escalating violence in Akobo County, warning that intensifying clashes are placing civilian lives in immediate danger and threatening to erode fragile peace gains.
In a joint statement issued Tuesday, the groups expressed deep concern over renewed fighting between government forces and opposition elements in the remote county of Jonglei State.
The violence, they noted, comes barely weeks after earlier confrontations in the same area, raising fears of a sustained cycle of conflict.
“Civilians are once again caught in the crossfire,” the statement read. “Communities that were beginning to recover are now facing renewed displacement, loss of livelihoods, and heightened insecurity.”
The CSOs warned that the resurgence of hostilities is rapidly worsening an already fragile humanitarian situation, particularly for vulnerable groups including women, children, and the elderly.
Reports from the area indicate that families are fleeing their homes in search of safety, while access to basic services remains severely limited.
Beyond the immediate human toll, the organizations cautioned that continued clashes risk undermining the country’s broader peace efforts under the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement.
They stressed that localized conflicts such as those in Akobo have the potential to destabilize wider regions if left unaddressed.
“Violence at the local level cannot be separated from national stability,” the statement added. “Failure to contain these clashes could reverse the progress made so far and deepen mistrust among communities and parties to the agreement.”
The groups called on all armed actors to immediately cease hostilities, exercise restraint, and prioritize the protection of civilians and their property.
They also urged the government and opposition leadership to recommit to dialogue and the full implementation of peace provisions.
In addition, civil society leaders appealed to international partners and regional bodies to step up diplomatic engagement and support efforts aimed at de-escalation and long-term peacebuilding in affected areas.
Analysts say the situation in Akobo reflects a broader pattern of recurring insecurity in parts of Jonglei, where intercommunal tensions and armed confrontations continue to flare despite national-level agreements.
As fighting intensifies, civil society actors warn that time is running out to prevent further suffering, calling for urgent and coordinated action to protect civilians and preserve the country’s fragile path toward peace.
