Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Anita Kiki Gbeho, newly appointed Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), addressed the Security Council to outline worsening conditions in the country. She reported intensified fighting, mainly in Jonglei state, between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (Army in Opposition). Civilians continue to bear the brunt of this violence, with the UN documenting a 40 percent rise in deaths and injuries in 2025 compared to 2024.
Intercommunal violence persists in regions including the Equatorias, Bahr el Ghazal, and Warrap, fueled by cattle raids, land disputes, and retaliatory attacks. The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan expressed serious concern over bodies discovered in Jonglei during road works, suggesting the human toll may be higher than reported.
UNMISS’s ability to respond has been undermined by budget cuts, reducing operational capacity by approximately 24 to 30 percent. This has scaled back mine clearance and peacekeeper patrols, both vital for securing high-risk areas. Limited resources also constrain engagement with local authorities and communities, jeopardizing early warning and confidence-building efforts.
Although peacekeepers protected civilians during recent violence in Akobo and Abiemnhom, maintaining long-term deployments amid current financial constraints is not feasible. The UNMISS head highlighted the gap between urgent needs on the ground and the sustained commitment and investment required to achieve lasting peace in South Sudan.