By Matik Kueth
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) for by nine days, until May 9.
This short-term extension, granted by resolution 2778, allows the Mission to continue using “all necessary means” to carry out its tasks after the initial expiration date of April 30.
The resolution gives the UNSC additional time to hold member deliberations amid growing tensions in South Sudan.
South Sudan has experienced serious political unrest following the Nasir incident, which resulted in the death of SSPDF Lt. Gen. David Majur Dak and 27 soldiers on March 7, 2025.
The incident occurred after armed youth, known as the White Army, seized the Wech-Yar-Adiu military barracks.
In response, the government arrested several SPLM-IO officials, including Gen. Duop Lam, Deputy Army Chief, and Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol, who are suspected of coordinating clashes between armed youth and government forces.
On March 26, the government put First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar under house arrest.
Despite international and regional appeals for his release, Machar remains confined at his residence.
President Kiir and Dr. Machar signed a peace deal in 2018 that established a transitional government that marked the turning point of the nation’s peace process.
However, persisting political tensions and conflicts, particularly in the Upper Nile region, keep thwarting the peace implementation.
UNMISS was initially established under resolution 1996 for a one-year period following South Sudan’s independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011.
Since then, the mission has been repeatedly renewed, with the UNSC citing the persistent threat to regional and international peace and security posed by the ongoing instability in in the country.