The United Nations Security Council has voiced serious concern over escalating violence in South Sudan and warned that government demands to close two major UN bases could severely hamper peacekeeping operations.
In a statement on Friday, the council highlighted rising insecurity in Jonglei and Eastern Equatoria states and called for an immediate halt to hostilities by all sides. It reminded those involved that ordering war crimes could lead to prosecution under international law.
The 15-member body also expressed concern about requests from South Sudan’s transitional government for the closure of key bases run by the UN mission (UNMISS) in the towns of Wau and Bentiu.
Diplomats said shutting down the sites, which are strategically important for logistics and protection, would pose a serious threat to the mission’s ability to protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian aid deliveries. The council warned it could force the relocation of troops and equipment, disrupting operations at a time of heightened instability.
Members stressed that continued violations of the 2018 peace deal were undermining stability, worsening humanitarian needs, and placing further strain on UNMISS.
Sovereignty concerns
South Sudan has defended its position, describing the move as a matter of national sovereignty. The call comes as the UN mission implements a mandated drawdown of its forces.
In December, Foreign Affairs Minister Monday Semaya Kumba told diplomats in Juba the government remained “steadfast” in its request, citing both sovereignty and national security concerns.
While Juba has agreed to the closure of seven smaller UNMISS bases as thousands of peacekeepers are repatriated, it maintains its position on the larger sites in Wau and Bentiu.
At the time, the government also criticised UNMISS for a lack of prior consultation on a contingency plan guiding the mission’s drawdown. Minister Kumba said South Sudan had cooperated with the plan’s implementation in “good faith,” but argued that the initial failure to consult “does not reflect the responsibilities of a host country.”
The bases in Wau, capital of Western Bahr el Ghazal state, and Bentiu, capital of Unity state, are among UNMISS’s largest and most logistically significant outside the capital, Juba. Both areas have experienced intense conflict in recent years.
Call for dialogue
The Security Council noted that the repatriation process was nearly complete and urged the transitional government to maintain full cooperation with the UN. It called on authorities to remove any remaining impediments to UNMISS operations and to implement its obligations under a Status of Forces Agreement.
The council welcomed ongoing diplomatic efforts by the African Union, the regional bloc IGAD, and a senior UN peacekeeping official to advance the peace process.
Reaffirming their commitment to South Sudan’s sovereignty, council members urged the country’s leaders to engage in “genuine, inclusive and transparent” dialogue on any proposed changes to the 2018 peace deal. They pledged to continue working in partnership with the government to support lasting peace and stability in the region.