Alarming reports of human remains uncovered during road construction in Jonglei State have intensified concerns that the true cost of South Sudan’s renewed violence is far higher than currently understood.
The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan is urging immediate, careful handling and thorough investigation of the sites.
Preliminary information indicates the remains could belong to combatants killed in earlier clashes, though the exact circumstances of their deaths and burials remain unclear. The discoveries come as fighting escalates again, particularly around Akobo, where control has reportedly shifted between government forces (SSPDF) and SPLA-IO fighters.
“These reports are deeply troubling,” said Commission Chair Yasmin Sooka. “Finding human remains in a conflict zone raises serious concerns. If victims are buried in unmarked sites, it suggests a much darker reality—one where the full scale of suffering is concealed.”
The Commission stressed that all suspected burial sites must be secured and preserved for independent and professional forensic investigation in line with international standards.
“Proper handling is essential for accountability,” Commissioner Barney Afako noted. “If procedures are not followed, critical evidence could be lost. In a context of escalating conflict and weak transparency, there is a real danger that serious violations are happening out of sight. This demands urgent political action.”
The renewed clashes, the Commission warned, signal a broader collapse of the peace process and a return to patterns of violence historically linked to mass atrocities.
Commissioner Carlos Castresana Fernández emphasized that the discovery of such graves raises serious legal concerns under international humanitarian and human rights law.
“Families have the right to know what happened to their loved ones and to have their remains treated with dignity,” he said. “Efforts must focus on identifying the victims, ensuring transparent investigations, and holding those responsible accountable. Without this, impunity will only deepen.”
The Commission is calling on authorities to secure the sites, follow proper investigative procedures, and allow independent verification to uncover the truth behind the discoveries.
