Makeshift shelters for communities displaced from Nagero County to Bazia, Wau County, South Sudan, November 18, 2025.
South Sudan’s army, opposition forces, and their respective allied militias abused residents and caused much of the population to flee during fighting in 2025 in Nagero County, Western Equatoria.Civilians have returned to Nagero town and environs, but continue to live in fear, and the government has continued to limit aid access into Nagero County as in other conflict-affected areas in the country. The government should suspend commanders credibly implicated in abuses, guarantee safe, immediate humanitarian access throughout Nagero County, and facilitate the safe and voluntary return of those displaced.
(Nairobi) – South Sudan’s army, opposition forces, and their respective allied militias abused civilians causing much of the population to flee during fighting in 2025 in Nagero County, Western Equatoria, Human Rights Watch said today. The abuses include intentional killings of civilians, rape and torture, or other cruel treatment that constitute war crimes.
Western Equatoria state has been the site of repeated fighting between the army and opposition forces since 2018, with both parties carrying out serious abuses against civilians. From January to February 2025 and then again from September to November 2025, South Sudan’s army–South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF)–clashed with the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA/IO) in Nagero County. During and after the clashes, government forces and allied fighters summarily executed at least eight civilians, including children; raped women; subjected other civilians, including detainees, to ill-treatment after accusing them of supporting the opposition; and burned and pillaged civilian property.
“Government forces and allied militia carried out serious abuses against civili
… [more]
