The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has refused to comply with an evacuation order issued by the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) ahead of a planned military operation in Akobo, a strategic town near the Ethiopian border. The UN base there currently shelters tens of thousands of civilians displaced by escalating violence.
Mission chief Anita Kiki Gbeho emphasized that UNMISS will maintain its protective presence in Akobo, stating, 'Our priority is the safety of civilians. We urge all parties to respect international humanitarian law.' The mission is engaging with national and local authorities to de-escalate tensions.
Fighting has intensified since December 2025, when opposition groups captured government outposts in Jonglei State. A subsequent counter-offensive displaced over 280,000 people, many of whom fled to Akobo. Humanitarian agencies report critical shortages of medical supplies and food as civilians brace for further violence.
Doctors Without Borders confirmed the looting of its Akobo hospital after evacuating staff, while local health officials described overwhelmed facilities in neighboring Ethiopia. The U.S., U.K., and Norway—key supporters of South Sudan’s peace process—have called on President Salva Kiir to withdraw the evacuation order, warning of catastrophic humanitarian consequences.
