By Matik Kueth
The United Nations Security Council has extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) for another year until April 30th, 2026, amid escalating political tensions in the country.
Twelve member states, including Algeria, Denmark, France, Greece, Guyana, Panama, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Somalia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, voted to extend the mission on Thursday, with three abstentions from China, Pakistan, and Russia.
The decision follows a nine-day technical extension agreed upon on April 30 to give political leaders extra time to engage in dialogue.
It came amid worsening political tensions in the country, where disputes led the government to arrest SPLM-IO officials in March and then the First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar in late March, sparking fears of a renewed conflict.
The Security Council authorized UNMISS to use any means necessary to fulfill its objectives, protect civilians, expedite aid delivery, support the 2018 peace deal, and investigate violations of international law.
The resolution maintains the mission’s current force cap of 17,000 troops and 2,101 police personnel, including 88 justice and corrections advisors, but remains open to adjusting levels based on evolving conditions.
The political deadlock, which included the detention of Dr. Machar, has escalated into open military conflict and more turmoil, delaying the implementation of the 2018 peace accord between him and President Salva Kiir.
International peacemakers have urged President Salva Kiir to release Dr. Machar. Still, the government has stated that he will be investigated in court for alleged involvement in the Nasir incident that led to the murder of SSPDF Gen. David Majur Dak.
Last month, Nicolas Haysom, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS, cautioned that South Sudanese leaders stand on the brink of relapsing into widespread conflict or taking the country forward towards peace, recovery and democracy in the spirit of the consensus that was reached in 2018 when they signed and committed to implementing a Revitalized Peace Agreement.
He added, “Unilateral amendments by Parties to that agreement that jeopardize the hard-won gains of the past seven years risk returning the country to a state of war.”
Haysom said the ongoing tensions will not only devastate South Sudan but also affect the entire country.
The UNSC challenged South Sudan’s leaders to demonstrate political will, build mutual trust, and engage in open and constructive dialogue.
UNMISS was established by the UN Security Council in 2011, following South Sudan’s independence from Sudan, to help maintain peace and security.
At the time, the country was already grappling with conflict and instability, a situation that persists to this day.