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South Sudan at 'Turning Point' Amid Worsening Violence, Humanitarian Crisis, Speakers Tell Security Council, Urging Renewed Dialogue, End to Fighting

Meetings Coverage
Security Council

9980th Meeting* (AM)

SC/16146
18 August 2025

Escalating violence, political deadlock and a deepening humanitarian crisis puts South Sudan "at a turning point", the Security Council heard today, as several UN and regional officials urged an end to hostilities, protection of civilians, and a renewed commitment to the Revitalized Peace Agreement.

Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, Assistant Secretary-General for Africa in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, referring to the Secretary-General's report on the matter (document S/2025/504), informed the 15-member Council that since March clashes between the South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) have "resulted in deaths, displacement and destruction of civilian infrastructure".

And despite repeated calls from the United Nations, African Union and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) for de-escalation and dialogue, "these calls have not yielded any concrete response", and unilateral violations continue to weaken the unity Government's ability to implement the agreement.

The "ongoing arrest and detention of opposition figures without due process" and the stalling of transitional tasks like security sector reform, constitution-making, and preparations for the 2026 elections have raised alarm, she warned. While leaders continue to declare their commitment to holding elections, "declarations of commitment are not enough". Critical bodies like the Council of Ministers "have yet to convene since March", reflecting a deeper paralysis that threatens the peace process, Ms. Pobee added.

Amid these challenges, there are limited but significant institutional developments. The resumption of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly in July was welcomed, as was the judiciary's new five-year strategic plan aimed at "judicial independence, access to justice, accountability and gender mainstreaming", she said.

Revitalized Peace Agreement Only Viable Framework to End Violence

She warned that the humanitarian situation remains "alarming," with 7.7 million people facing high levels of food insecurity and 83,000 at risk of famine conditions. And yet funding for the 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan stands at only 28.5 per cent, while violence against aid workers hinders operations.

South Sudan "is at a turning point," Ms. Pobee went on to emphasize, adding that the revitalized peace agreement "remains the only viable framework to break the cycle of violence" and achieve the country's first democratic elections. Without concrete steps, the "risk of a relapse into widespread violence will only grow". She urged the Council to impress upon South Sudan's leaders the imperative of laying the groundwork for peaceful elections in December 2026.

George Aggrey Owinow, Interim Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, also said that the political and security situation in the country has substantially deteriorated. In March, shortly after the commencement of the extended Transitional Period, an administrative military deployment coordinated by the SSPDF and SPLM/A-IO forces into the town of Nassir in Upper Nile State, resulted in armed clashes, displacing tens of thousands of civilians and killing many more.

On 3 and 4 March, a Nuer militia, allegedly affiliated to the SPLM/A-IO — locally known as the "White Army" — attacked an SSPDF garrison in Nasir, he continued. This incident triggered a political and security crisis, which was followed by the arrest and detention in Juba of several senior SPLM/A-IO political leaders. In the days that followed, Riek Machar Teny, the First Vice-President, was put under house arrest, where he remains to date.

Permanent Ceasefire Repeatedly Violated, Peace Gains at Risk of Reversal

The permanent ceasefire has since been repeatedly violated, with aerial bombardments of SPLM/A-IO occupied areas by the SSPDF, including cantonment areas and training centres, he said. These events have created widespread fear, subsequently forcing many senior opposition figures into self-exile, he observed, adding that there is "very little progress" in terms of preparation for the conduct of December 2026 elections. "The current trajectory in the country, if not urgently addressed, risks reversing all that has been gained", he warned, noting that it may lead to a collapse of the 2018 Peace Agreement and plunge the country back into conflict.

Outlining recommendations, he underscored the need to de-escalate tensions, address the issue of detainees, embrace dialogue and return to full and inclusive implementation of the 2018 agreement. Despite all its challenges, the accord "has restored relative peace across the country" and remains "a blueprint for the building of a lasting peace and stability in the country", he stressed, adding: "It will be tragic if its gains to date are lost beyond restoration."

9.3 Million People in Dire Need of Assistance

Also briefing the Council, Murithi Mutiga, Programme Director for Africa of the International Crisis Group, said South Sudan faces one of its most perilous moments since independence. "Approximately 9.3 million people are in dire need of assistance, with 7.7 million suffering from acute food insecurity," he said. The collapse of the 2018 peace accord has further destabilized the country following the house arrest of former First Vice-President Machar in March. Trust between parties remains dangerously low, while the conflict in neighbouring Sudan has displaced more than 1.2 million people into South Sudan.

Mr. Mutiga called for urgent diplomacy to halt further escalation. Regional partners, including Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa and the United Republic of Tanzania, can also play a part in calling for "a pause in military actions". Addressing the detention of Mr. Machar is "delicate but critical", with prolonged confinement or exile carrying high risks of renewed insurgency. "Negotiations regarding the Vice-President's detention should be integrated into broader discussions about South Sudan's future," he added.

Attacks of Aid Workers 'Unacceptable and Unlawful'

In the ensuing debate, Council members voiced grave concern over the renewed escalation of tensions and the worsening humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, marked by mass displacement, acute food insecurity and the most severe cholera outbreak in the young country's history.

Slovenia's representative called for an immediate end to all hostilities, underscored that attacks on humanitarian workers and facilities are "unacceptable and unlawful", and urged all parties to guarantee safe, rapid and unimpeded access to those in need. Panama's delegate, Council President for August, speaking in his national capacity, expressed deep concern that, with over 75 per cent of the population in need of aid and the worst cholera outbreak in the country's history, the humanitarian crisis remains gravely underfunded.

"Generations of South Sudanese citizens remain trapped in a cycle of conflict, acute need and disenfranchisement due to the lack of political will on the part of their leaders," said the United States' representative. Aerial bombardments and ground attacks between 1 April and 15 July have displaced 300,000 people, while escalating military operations have resulted in hundreds of civilian deaths and destroyed critical infrastructure. The conflict is worsening the already dire situation, and yet aid services provided by the international community have been systematically hindered by "decades of violence against humanitarian workers, predation and corruption".

Calls to Release First Vice-President, Other Detained Political Leaders

Several speakers expressed concern the continued detention of First Vice-President Machar and other political leaders threatens to derail the 2018 Peace Agreement and prospects for peaceful, credible elections in December 2026.

The United Kingdom's representative, adding that government reshuffles are further destabilizing institutions, echoed the African Union's call for the release of all political detainees as essential for credible dialogue and reconciliation. Also calling for their immediate release, Greece's delegate urged all parties to recommit to dialogue and the peace process. His counterpart from the Republic of Korea added that meaningful political progress is only possible when key parties to the Revitalized Agreement can come together at the same table. "We are therefore deeply concerned by the continued house arrest of the First Vice-President," he added.

"The political and security situation [in South Sudan] is sliding backwards at a time when it needs to move forward," warned Pakistan's representative echoing the sentiment of several speakers. He described preparations for elections in December 2026 as "a ray of hope", noting that credible polls will require not only international support but also an environment of trust and inclusivity.

Revised Electoral Road Map for December 2026 Elections Must Stay on Track

Somalia's delegate, speaking also for Algeria, Guyana and Sierra Leone, likewise voiced concern about growing tension within the transitional Government. As South Sudan stands at a critical juncture, its leadership must ensure that the revised electoral road map for the election rescheduled to take place in December 2026 "stays on track".

"South Sudan's potential relapse into large-scale conflict remains a significant concern," said Denmark's delegate, calling for the transitional justice institutions envisaged for South Sudan to be set up and become operational "to prosecute those bearing the greatest responsibility for atrocities".

Delegates Diverge over Sanctions Regime

"South Sudan is the youngest country in the world, and its political process will not be completed overnight," said China's delegate. The peace accord's signatories have repeatedly emphasized their commitment to upholding it, he added, citing dialogue and political settlement as "the only path to peace". On the arms embargo imposed on South Sudan, he called on the Council to "adjust or lift the unreasonable sanctions at an early date". France's delegate, on the other hand, called for full compliance with the arms embargo, which was renewed by the Council in May. All States, he stressed, must act in accordance with the objectives of the revitalized Agreement and refrain from any action that would contribute to escalating tensions in the country.

The representative of the Russian Federation pushed back against what it described as "excessively alarmist views" presented by some Western members of the Council. While acknowledging the seriousness of clashes between government and opposition forces, Moscow believes that Juba retains the capacity to prevent a relapse into civil war. He warned against the risk of South Sudanese territory being used as a launch pad for involvement in Sudan's conflict and underscored that the Revitalized Peace Agreement remains the cornerstone for lasting stability.

UN Mission in South Sudan Must Remain 'Neutral and Impartial'

The representative of South Sudan reiterated his country's readiness to continue cooperating with United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to advance peace, stability and development, urging the Mission to remain "neutral and impartial" in its reporting and activities. Underscoring that South Sudan's sovereignty and independence must be respected, he said that the recent detention of certain high-profile opposition leaders is not politically motivated but "a matter of criminal accountability for actions directly linked to incitement of violence and engagement in unlawful activities". Calls for their release disregard due process and risk interfering in the country's internal affairs, he asserted.

He further called for enhanced international support in peace implementation and electoral preparations, as well as in responding to humanitarian emergencies, overcoming economic constraints and mitigating the negative impact of the arms embargo. All partners must support inclusive dialogue among political leaders and reinforce national ownership of the peace process, rather than external pressure that risks deepening divisions, he emphasized. He further underscored that "it is never a policy of [South Sudan's Government] to hinder UNMISS mandate".

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The 9979th Meeting was closed.