South Sudan: UN Briefing on Escalating Violence, Famine Risks, and Peace Agreement Challenges

Deteriorating Security Situation

• ⚠️ The security situation in South Sudan has sharply deteriorated over the past three months, with an increase in ceasefire violations, including widespread aerial bombardments and clashes.
• 💥 Unilateral removal of opposition from the transitional government and the detention of key leaders, including First Vice President Riek Machar, have further polarized the political environment.
• 🌍 The conflict in Sudan continues to spill over, inflaming local tensions and straining scarce resources.

Peace Agreement and Elections

• 🕊️ The Revitalized Peace Agreement is still considered the only viable framework for long-term peace and stability, despite challenges.
• ⚖️ The principle of inclusivity and power-sharing arrangements appear to have been sacrificed due to repeated unilateral decisions.
• 🗓️ Preparations for the December 2026 elections lack urgency, with key electoral decisions needing to be made now for credible planning.
• 🤝 There is an urgent need for genuine political negotiations, compromise, and dialogue between South Sudanese leaders to bring the peace process back on track.

Worsening Humanitarian Crisis

• 📈 Over 7.5 million people face acute food insecurity, with 28,000 at risk of famine.
• 💧 Flooding has displaced over a million people, and over 1.2 million returnees and refugees from Sudan have entered the country.
• 💔 Human suffering is mounting, with persistent conflict-related sexual violence, arbitrary detentions, and extrajudicial killings, often with limited accountability.
• 🆘 Humanitarian partners continue to deliver assistance despite insecurity and bureaucratic impediments, but require government support and safety guarantees.

UN Peacekeeping Challenges

• 📉 UNMISS faces significant challenges in meeting its mandate due to diminishing means and a global liquidity crisis.
• 🛡️ Contingency plans to address liquidity challenges include closing field offices, repatriating personnel, and reducing staff, impacting the mission's ability to protect civilians.
• 🇰🇪 The South Sudanese government's imposition of impractical conditions on UNMIS poses a serious threat to the mission's viability and its ability to fulfill its mandate.
• 🤝 The UN stresses the need for government support, flexibility, and adherence to the status of forces agreement to ensure the mission's continued operation for the benefit of peace and stability.