South Sudan: Security Forces Abuse Power in 'Anti-Gang' Crackdown

Rights group reports mass arbitrary arrests against civilians in South Sudan

Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported on Wednesday that South Sudanese security forces committed human rights violations against civilians, including arbitrary arrests and torture, under the pretext of a crackdown on criminal gangs. The organization urged the authorities to halt these actions and conduct thorough investigations into all alleged abuses. HRW stated that South Sudanese security forces have been conducting a series of arbitrary arrests …

South Sudan: Security Forces Abuse Power in 'Anti-Gang' Crackdown

Press Release - Mass Arbitrary Arrests; Ill-Treatment; Rape; Forced Conscription, Including Boys

South Sudan: Abusive ‘Anti-Gang’ Crackdown

Click to expand Image Old photo from April 9, 2020, of security forces patrolling the streets of Juba, South Sudan. © 2020 ALEX MCBRIDE/AFP via Getty Images South Sudan’s security forces, since late June 2025, have conducted sweeping arbitrary arrests of boys, young men, and women under the guise of a crackdown on criminals.Many were held for up to a week without charge and often released only after their families paid bribes. Young women were s…

South Sudan ‘anti-gang’ crackdown marked by abuses, Human Rights Watch says

Human Rights Watch reports that since late June 2025, South Sudan’s security forces have carried out a sweeping and abusive crackdown in the capital, Juba, ostensibly targeting criminal gangs. Under this campaign, security forces arbitrarily arrested hundreds of boys, young men, and women, detaining many without charge for days and releasing some only after families paid bribes. The rights body alleges that others were subjected to torture, sexu…

Rights group documents arrests, abuse of youth in Juba - Radio Tamazuj

South Sudanese security forces have carried out sweeping arbitrary arrests of boys, young men and women in the capital, Juba, since late June 2025, subjecting detainees to torture, extortion and forced conscription, Human Rights Watch said in a report released Wednesday. The rights group said the arrests were conducted under the pretext of a crackdown on criminal gangs following reports of rising youth violence in the city. In at least one raid,…