UN Urgently Demands Immediate Ceasefire in South Sudan Amid Escalating Violence
United Nations' Security Council urges an immediate halt to the ongoing violence in South Sudan.
In response to the ongoing clashes between supporters of President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar, the UN Security Council has called for an immediate halt to the fighting throughout South Sudan. With increasing concerns about another civil war on the horizon, the Security Council is pushing for political dialogue and an end to violence against civilians.
The violence, primarily in the Upper Nile State, has been marked by the use of barrel bombs, indiscriminate weapons, and air strikes, posing grave threats to the safety and well-being of civilians. The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has repeatedly condemned such attacks and emphasized the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities to protect the innocent.
The resolution, adopted on Thursday, extends the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) for one year until April 30, 2026, maintaining the current ceiling of 17,000 UN troops and 2,100 police officers. However, the Security Council leaves open the possibility of adjusting troop levels based on security conditions on the ground, providing flexibility in response to evolving security needs.
The resolution was backed by 12 yes votes, but Russia, China, and Pakistan abstained from the vote. The escalating conflict in South Sudan threatens a 2018 peace agreement that ended a five-year civil war which claimed the lives of approximately 400,000 people. As one of the poorest countries in the world despite its significant oil reserves, South Sudan requires global assistance to rebuild and secure lasting peace.
Additional Context:
- Quartet's Urgent Appeal: The Quartet, comprising of AUMISS, IGAD, UNMISS, and RJMEC, has called on South Sudan's leaders to cease hostilities and resume dialogue to advance the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
- Forcoming Vote on Arms Embargo: A vote in late May will determine whether to extend the UN arms embargo on South Sudan for twelve months, potentially impacting the country's security environment.
The UN's call for a ceasefire and the Security Council's resolution underscore the urgent need for peace and stability in South Sudan, while emphasizing the importance of international engagement in supporting these efforts. With humanitarian, political, and security implications on the line, global action is crucial to preventing further violence and advancing South Sudan's path to peace.
- The UN Security Council has advocated for an immediate ceasefire on community and political fronts within South Sudan, due to the escalating violence.
- Following the resolution, the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) will continue its peacekeeping operations until April 30, 2026, with a current troop ceiling of 17,000 UN troops and 2,100 police officers.
- The escalating conflict in South Sudan jeopardizes the 2018 peace agreement, which ended a five-year civil war, and poses significant risks for future peace negotiations.
- To help South Sudan, a country struggling with poverty despite its oil reserves, rebuild and secure lasting peace, global assistance will be essential in the face of the ongoing war-and-conflicts and the future vote on arms embargo.
