Sound the Alarm: UN Demands an Immediate Ceasefire in South Sudan Frenzy
United Nations Security Council urges prompt halt to South Sudan conflict violence
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In the midst of a chaotic, weeks-long battlefield, the United Nations Security Council is urging an immediate stop to the violent anarchy in South Sudan. The Security Council demands a swift halt to hostilities nationwide and the commencement of a political dialogue, as well as an end to violence against innocent civilians, according to a resolution passed on a Thursday voting session.
This resolution also extended the UN peacekeeping operation in South Sudan (UNMISS) for another year, lasting until April 30, 2026. The resolution maintains the 17,000 UN troops and 2,100 police officers' ceiling but suggests potential troop modifications in the future. The resolution was approved by twelve 'aye' votes and three abstentions from Russia, China, and Pakistan.
The escalating turmoil in South Sudan resurfaced earlier this year after the resurgence of the conflict between President Salva Kiir's supporters and Vice President Riek Machar's backers. This belligerence jeopardizes the 2018 peace agreement that brought an end to a five-year civil war resulting in roughly 400,000 casualties. South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, remains one of the world's most impoverished countries despite its vast oil reserves.
Source: ntv.de, AFP
Now, let's delve a bit deeper into this intensifying crisis in South Sudan. Tensions have been on the rise since early 2025, marking a significant deterioration of the peace process instated after the 2018 peace agreement[2]. To be more precise, conflicts have intensified between the government troops (South Sudan People’s Defense Forces) and armed groups linked to Machar's party (Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition), including youth militias like the White Army. Intense skirmishes have broken out in various states, including Western Equatoria, Upper Nile, and others. Fierce fighting in March resulted in the White Army seizing control of Nasir town in Upper Nile, causing a smoke screen of airstrikes and military counterattacks from the SSPDF[2][4].
Unfortunately, political developments remain unstable. The arrest of Vice President Riek Machar, while not explicitly detailed in the search results, seems to fit within the broader context of increasing regime tensions and regional instability that President Kiir is facing. Machar's detention has likely fueled further distrust between factions and undermined the already fragile unity government. This uncertainty has raised concerns of a return to full-blown civil war, as the government forces and opposition armed groups remain entangled in brutal confrontations[1].
Internationally, the United Nations has extended the mandate of its peacekeeping mission (UNMISS) in South Sudan until April 2026 to attempt stabilizing the troubled region. Furthermore, the UN Security Council anticipates renewing sanctions and continuing monitoring mechanisms aimed at stifling the endless cycle of violence[3][4].
In essence, following Machar's arrest, South Sudan faces a critical period of escalating armed violence and political instability. The already tenuous peace process hangs by a thread, with growing violence between government forces and opposition groups, delayed elections, and mounting humanitarian concerns[1][2][4]. South Sudan stands at the precipice, threatening to collapse unless swift political dialogue and conflict resolution efforts are initiated without further delay.
- The United Nations Security Council, in response to the deteriorated peacekeeping situation in South Sudan, has called for an immediate halt to the ongoing violence and the commencement of a political dialogue.
- President Salva Kiir's escalating politics with Vice President Riek Machar, as seen in the latter's recent arrest, has raised concerns of a return to full-blown war and further fuels distrust among factions.
- To mitigate the ongoing crisis, the United Nations has extended its peacekeeping operation, UNMISS, with a focus on maintaining stability in South Sudan, and anticipates renewing sanctions and monitoring mechanisms.
- The international community is urging South Sudan's leaders to prioritize peace and political dialogue, as the country faces a critical period of armed violence and instability, potentially leading to another civil war.
