A new report by the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has exposed the severe impact of entrenched government corruption on the country’s humanitarian and development landscape.

Following two years of investigation and analysis, the Commission revealed that widespread mismanagement of both oil and non-oil revenues is at the heart of a deepening human rights crisis. Political elites continue to benefit from opaque financial schemes and unaccountable spending, while the majority of South Sudanese citizens are deprived of basic public services such as healthcare, education, and clean water.

“Corruption isn’t incidental in South Sudan — it is central to the country’s decline,” said the Commission. “It is fueling hunger, dismantling health systems, causing avoidable deaths, and triggering deadly conflicts over resources.”

Billions Lost, Services Collapsing

Since South Sudan gained independence in 2011, the country has generated over $25 billion in oil revenues. However, the Commission found that these funds have largely failed to benefit the population. Instead, they have been funneled into private hands through politically connected contracts and schemes.

One example is the “Oil for Roads” program, which was meant to improve infrastructure. The initiative fell short of its objectives, with an estimated $2.2 billion diverted into political patronage networks without delivering the promised roadworks.

In the non-oil sector, the report highlights concerning practices by private entities such as Crawford Capital, which collected significant taxes through informal channels. These practices obstructed humanitarian efforts and further strained public services, with little of the revenue reflected in official budgets.

Reform Promises Unfulfilled

Despite a 2018 peace agreement that included commitments to financial reform and anti-corruption measures, the Commission noted that implementation has been insufficient and underfunded. This failure has prolonged the suffering of millions and intensified South Sudan’s vulnerabilities.

“Three out of four child deaths in the country are preventable,” the Commission noted. “Yet funds continue to be siphoned off for political gain instead of being invested in essential medicine, clean water, or education.”

A Call to Action

The Commission’s report outlines 54 recommendations urging the government to prioritize transparency, public service delivery, and accountability. These include the urgent need to prosecute economic crimes and fulfill basic needs to ensure peace and stability.

“When public wealth is treated as private fortune, peace is unsustainable,” the Commission concluded. “To preserve the nation’s fragile transition, South Sudan must invest in human rights and justice.”

Established by the UN Human Rights Council in 2016, the Commission operates independently to monitor and report on the human rights situation in South Sudan. Its latest findings are a stark reminder of the urgent need for reform, accountability, and genuine political will to put citizens before profits.

8 September 2025 – Human Rights

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has delivered a stark warning about the state of human rights and the global order, calling out the growing “glorification of violence” and widespread efforts to weaken the rule of law.

In an address to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Türk cautioned that the international community is facing a critical moment. “No one is safe when human rights are under attack,” he emphasized, urging world leaders to recognize the danger of allowing violations to go unchecked.

Rule of Law Under Siege

Türk expressed deep concern about countries disregarding international norms that were established to prevent global conflict after World War II. He criticized the normalization of human rights violations and warned that when laws are applied inconsistently, it undermines the legal order for everyone.

From militarized displays to rising pro-war rhetoric, the UN rights chief noted a global shift toward authoritarianism and repression. “Some States are becoming an extension of their ruler’s personal power,” he said, highlighting the urgent need for governments to recommit to the principles of peace, justice, and accountability.

Violations Across the Globe

During his speech, Türk gave an overview of human rights crises unfolding around the world:

• Gaza: He described the area as a “graveyard,” citing mass civilian deaths and calling for an immediate halt to arms transfers to Israel that may breach international law.
• Sudan: Civilians in El Fasher remain under relentless bombardment, with the risk of further atrocities looming.
• Myanmar: Four years after the military coup, the population continues to suffer severe rights violations.
• Ukraine: Escalating drone attacks have intensified the impact of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
• Afghanistan: Women and girls have been nearly erased from public life.
• West Africa: Anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is on the rise, and restrictions on civil freedoms are increasing ahead of several national elections.
• China: No meaningful progress has been made to address the rights of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities.
• Migration: Forced returns of refugees, including Afghans and Rohingya Muslims, have occurred in countries like Iran, Pakistan, and India. European countries and the United States were also cited for tightening asylum measures.

Democratic Rights at Risk

Türk also raised alarms over the shrinking space for political opposition, press freedom, and peaceful assembly in countries preparing for upcoming elections. He pointed to worrying trends in Cameroon, Tanzania, Uganda, and several others where repression is increasing.

A Call to Action

Calling for renewed global commitment to human rights, the UN rights chief underscored the importance of teaching future generations that these freedoms are not optional—they are universal birthrights.

“We’re talking about the future of humanity, global peace, and stability,” he said. “When one group’s rights are violated, the freedoms of all are threatened.”

2 September 2025 | Humanitarian Aid

A magnitude-6 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan overnight, leaving a trail of destruction across remote mountainous regions. More than 800 people have died, and over 2,000 are injured, though officials warn the overall impact could affect hundreds of thousands.

The quake collapsed structures made of mud and timber, with roofs often falling on sleeping occupants. These materials, common in rural homes, contributed to high casualties.

Access Challenges and Rescue Efforts

Rescue operations are being hampered by damaged roads, landslides, and rockfalls. Many communities remain cut off due to prior rainfall-induced obstruction.

To scale up relief efforts, 20 emergency assessment teams and 15 mobile units have been deployed. The UN Humanitarian Air Service has increased flights between Kabul and Jalalabad to deliver aid and personnel.

Communication networks have collapsed in affected areas, complicating coordination. Humanitarian staff are relying on helicopters and overland routes to reach remote villages. Evacuating casualties requires long, arduous journeys.

Urgent Health Risks

Public health emergencies are mounting. UN officials emphasize the need for immediate disposal of bodies and dead livestock to prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases. In addition, psychological support is being prioritized to help survivors cope with trauma.

The Afghan Red Crescent is among the first responders, navigating hazardous terrain where roads are blocked. Their teams walk up to five hours to reach remote communities and transport the wounded back to overwhelmed hospitals.

Critical Humanitarian Needs

Displaced families urgently need tents, blankets, and tarpaulins to protect them from harsh mountain weather. Emergency nutrition, warm meals, and trauma care are in demand, though mobile health teams are in short supply, raising concerns about meeting basic needs.

A Humanitarian System Under Strain

Afghanistan faces chronic humanitarian challenges: 22.5 million people—half the population—need assistance. Food insecurity has surged due to drought, and cuts in aid have forced many services to shut down.

Adding to the strain, 2.4 million Afghans are returning from Pakistan and Iran, many forcibly deported. Most are returning to the quake-affected zones. These forced returnees are arriving with minimal resources, further overwhelming local capacity.

The 2025 humanitarian appeal for Afghanistan is only 28% funded—a shortfall that poses an urgent threat amid overlapping crises.