JUBA — The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) has made a formal request to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan. They are seeking clarification. They are demanding actionable evidence. This request follows severe allegations that the military destroyed and poisoned vital civilian water sources during recent offensives.
The pushback from the military command highlights escalating tensions between Juba and international oversight bodies. The humanitarian fallout from the ongoing conflicts in Greater Upper Nile has become a focal point of global scrutiny.
The UN Allegations and the SSPDF Response
The controversy centers on reports of armed forces engaging in deliberate scorched-earth tactics. They intentionally contaminated boreholes. They also destroyed water infrastructure to displace local populations.
Demand for Clarification: The military apparatus has strongly rejected the premise of the allegations. The SSPDF is formally challenging the UN Commission. They request specific locations, dates, and forensic evidence. This is to substantiate the claims that state-aligned forces engaged in the poisoning of water supplies.
Operational Integrity: Army leadership asserts that their operations adhere to standard military engagement protocols. This includes the recent, highly controversial capture of Akobo. Their goal is to neutralize armed opposition and militias. They aim to avoid targeting civilian survival infrastructure. Echoes of Local Alarms: The UN allegations closely mirror warnings. These warnings have been issuing from local civil society. Community leaders have also been issuing them for weeks.
Prior Warnings: On February 18, 2026, the Lou Nuer Community Council (LNCC) publicly accused forces of systematically targeting civilian lifelines. They specifically cited the “destruction of water points.” They also mentioned attacks on health and educational facilities in northern Jonglei.
Humanitarian Catastrophe: The weaponization of water in regions like Jonglei is a serious issue. This region has recently battled a severe cholera outbreak. It relies heavily on deep boreholes during the dry season. Such actions constitute a grave violation of international humanitarian law and accelerate mass civilian displacement.
The Diplomatic Friction
This demand for clarification places the UN Commission in a delicate position. The SSPDF is simultaneously urging UNMISS and NGOs to return to areas like Akobo to resume service delivery.
However, the military is simultaneously disputing the very human rights reports generated by the UN’s investigative arms regarding how those areas were captured