South Sudan
Expected Council Action
In August, the Security Council will hold a briefing, followed by consultations, on the situation in South Sudan. Special Representative and Head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Nicholas Haysom will brief on the Secretary-General’s 90-day report on South Sudan and developments in the country.
The mandate of UNMISS expires on 30 April 2026.
Key Recent Developments
The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF)—the government’s forces—have reportedly continued targeting opposition strongholds across several states. In early June, the SSPDF—with reported support from Uganda, which deployed its forces in South Sudan in March—conducted airstrikes in Fangak County, Jonglei State, an area that has seen intense violence since tensions escalated between the SSPDF and the South Sudan Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) in April. Media reports indicate that on 11 June, there was a new wave of violence between the SSPDF and Agwelek militias on one side, and the SPLA-IO, joined by a local Nuer armed youth group known as the White Army, on the other. On 23 June, the SSPDF reportedly carried out airstrikes in Panyijiar County, Unity State, a SPLA-IO-dominated area. The airstrikes continued in the following days, with support from Ugandan forces, and resulted in several injuries. (For background and more information, see the brief on South Sudan in our May 2025 Monthly Forecast.)
In a 3 June press release, UNMISS expressed deep concern about escalating intercommunal violence in Tonj East, Warrap State, which resulted in hundreds of deaths, the destruction of homes, and widespread displacement. The press release noted that since December 2024, the area has experienced repeated incidents of violence, including cattle raids and revenge attacks involving large groups of armed youth from neighbouring communities. It said that more than 200 people were estimated to have been killed in clashes in March. According to the release, the violence has intensified, driven by efforts to recover stolen cattle and the desire to retaliate for previous attacks, resulting in possibly over 80 additional casualties, although these figures remain unverified. UNMISS said that it had increased patrols but noted that the presence of checkpoints operated by armed youth has hindered access to some affected areas.
On 12 June, the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) held a meeting on the situation in South Sudan. In his remarks at the meeting, then-Deputy Special Representative and Deputy Head of UNMISS Guang Cong warned of the steady erosion of gains made under the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), including the loss of trust among the parties. (Cong has since been appointed the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa). He highlighted a worsening security and political environment, which has stalled key transitional priorities, including security sector reform, elections, and constitution-making. He noted a sharp escalation in armed clashes and a continued lack of progress in implementing the agreement, despite repeated calls for a ceasefire and dialogue. In its communiqué, the AUPSC called for the immediate and unconditional release and reinstatement of Riek Machar, South Sudan’s First Vice President, who was arrested in March. The AUPSC also called for an independent investigation into all violations of the R-ARCSS.
The humanitarian situation in South Sudan continues to deteriorate. According to OCHA, as of June, more than half of the population—approximately 7.7 million people—are facing severe levels of acute food insecurity. This includes an estimated 83,000 individuals experiencing famine-like conditions, particularly in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area and in Nasir, Ulang, and Malakal counties in Upper Nile State. An additional 39,000 South Sudanese returnees who fled the conflict in Sudan are also facing critical food insecurity.
The country is also facing a rapidly expanding cholera outbreak, affecting communities across the country. According to OCHA’s 8 July press release, South Sudan’s Ministry of Health has reported approximately 80,000 cases and over 1,400 deaths since the end of September 2024. OCHA’s latest humanitarian access snapshot, published on 15 July, noted that ongoing clashes between armed groups and the SSPDF in Jonglei and Upper Nile states continue to obstruct aid delivery to thousands in need. Access remains particularly constrained in Fangak, Pigi Canal, Ulang, and Nasir counties. In June, 53 incidents affecting humanitarian operations were documented, including violence against aid workers and assets, abductions, attacks on health facilities, and bureaucratic impediments.
Human Rights-Related Developments
On 13 June, the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan stressed that escalating military offensives, political crackdowns, and foreign military presence are not only accelerating the breakdown of the agreement but also reigniting greater fear, suffering, and widespread insecurity for the people of South Sudan. Underscoring the need for urgent, coordinated regional intervention, the Commission reiterated its call for “regional and international actors to intensify diplomatic pressure on South Sudan’s leaders to ensure immediate de-escalation and the full implementation of the Revitalized Agreement”.
On 2 July, the UNMISS Human Rights Division (HRD) released its quarterly brief on violence affecting civilians, covering the period from January to March. The brief documented 312 incidents of violence affecting 1,607 civilians, the highest number of civilian victims recorded in a single quarter by the HRD since 2020. In comparison to the previous quarter (October to December 2024), the brief reported a 34 percent increase in the number of documented violent incidents (from 233 to 312) and an 86 percent increase in the total number of victims (from 866 to 1,607). The reported conflict-related incidents included 40 cases of conflict-related sexual violence. The brief also documented 42 incidents of sexual- and gender-based violence across South Sudan.
Sanctions-Related Developments
On 30 May, the Security Council adopted resolution 2781, renewing the South Sudan sanctions regime until 31 May 2026 and the mandate of the Panel of Experts of the 2206 South Sudan Sanctions Committee until 1 July 2026. (For more information, see our 29 May What’s in Blue story.)
On 1 July, Secretary-General António Guterres sent a letter to the Council confirming the appointment of four experts to the Panel, covering the areas of arms, natural resources/finance, regional issues, and armed groups. The letter also informed Council members that a fifth expert, who will cover humanitarian affairs, would be appointed to the Panel soon.
Key Issues and Options
The main issue for the Council is how to prevent South Sudan from descending into civil war while addressing the structural issues that contribute to recurring violence and political instability. Although large-scale clashes have so far been averted, localised violence persists, and recent unrest has heightened concerns about a return to full-scale conflict. Ensuring accountability for abuses and violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, as well as breaking the cycle of impunity, remain underlying challenges.
A related issue is how the Council and the broader international community can continue supporting the transition amid increasing political fragmentation. Progress has been undermined by persistent delays in the transitional process, deep mistrust among political leaders, unilateral actions by the government, including the consolidation of power over state institutions, and recurring clashes between parties to the agreement, which have collectively derailed the peace process. Despite repeated extensions of the transitional period, the parties have failed to demonstrate the political will to implement critical benchmarks outlined in the R-ARCSS necessary for holding national elections, such as deployment of unified forces, civic education, election security, and voter registration. Furthermore, the lack of financial resources and delays in legal and political decisions continue to stall key processes.
In addition, the broader regional context poses a serious challenge to the political and security situation in South Sudan, particularly the spillover effects of the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
The obstacles to UNMISS’s ability to fulfil its mandate and responsibilities, including restrictions on freedom of movement and violations of the status of forces agreement, continue to be an issue.
During the Council briefing in August, members could consider inviting a civil society representative to highlight ongoing challenges on the ground, including those stemming from a lack of timely implementation of the revitalised agreement, and the dire security and humanitarian situations. Council members could also consider inviting the Interim Chairperson of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development’s (IGAD) Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), Major General (Retired) George Aggrey Owinow, to share perspectives on efforts to monitor and reinvigorate the peace process.
One option that Council members could consider is issuing a press statement expressing their concern over the political and security tensions in the country and urging parties to focus on the implementation of the R-ARCCS.
Another option for Council members would be to hold informal, expert-level briefings with independent regional analysts to gain a deeper understanding of the evolving political and security dynamics in the country.
Additionally, Council members could explore the possibility of undertaking a visiting mission to South Sudan to assess conditions first-hand and engage directly with parties to the R-ARCSS. (The last Council visiting mission to South Sudan took place in 2019.)
Council Dynamics
Council members share similar concerns regarding delays in implementing the revitalised agreement, ongoing sub-national and intercommunal violence, and the deepening economic and humanitarian crises. However, they hold differing views on the overall assessment of the situation and the degree to which the Council should exert pressure on the parties to advance implementation of the agreement. Some members, such as the US, have been more critical of what they view as the South Sudanese government’s lack of political will to advance the peace process.
During the Council’s most recent briefing on South Sudan, held on 16 April, a majority of members expressed concern over the intensification of violence and its devastating impact on civilians, alarm at the arrest of First Vice-President Riek Machar, and a shared view that unilateral actions undermine the peace process. Several members stressed the importance of preserving the fragile gains made towards peace and stability.
Russia, however, argued that “the situation in South Sudan is under the control of the current government” and emphasised that the Council should prioritise support for the authorities’ stabilisation efforts rather than exert undue pressure. China, while expressing regret over the state of the implementation of the R-ARCSS, highlighted the progress made by the parties despite significant internal and external challenges. Similarly, during negotiations on the UNMISS mandate renewal in May, both Russia and China opposed language proposed by the US (the penholder on South Sudan), which they perceived as overly critical of the government. They instead advocated for a more balanced and constructive approach that would avoid placing disproportionate pressure on the host authorities. (For more information, see our 8 May What’s in Blue story.)
| Security Council Resolutions | |
| 30 May 2025S/RES/2781 | This resolution renewed the South Sudan sanctions regime until 31 May 2026 and the mandate of the Panel of Experts of the 2206 South Sudan Sanctions Committee until 1 July 2026. |
| 8 May 2025S/RES/2779 | This resolution renewed UNMISS’ mandate until 30 April 2026. |
| Security Council Meeting Records | |
| 16 April 2025S/PV.9898 | This was a meeting on the situation in South Sudan. |
| Security Council Letters | |
| 1 July 2025S/2025/452 | This was a letter from the Secretary-General appointing the Panel of Experts supporting the 2206 South Sudan Sanctions Committee. |
