The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) will close its temporary operating base in Akobo, Jonglei State, in the coming weeks, a UN official said Wednesday.
Francesca Mold, UNMISS chief of communications and public information, told Radio Tamazuj that the base’s closure, originally planned for December 2025, was delayed due to worsening security conditions. UN peacekeepers remained in the area to support affected communities.
“Due to the United Nations-wide financial crisis, UNMISS is required to reduce its budget by 15% within six months, which translates to an effective cut of 25-30%,” Mold said.
“To make these savings, the mission has closed and downsized field offices and smaller bases across the country, repatriated uniformed peacekeepers, reduced civilian staff, and cut operational spending,” she added.
Mold said the financial constraints have not eased, and the base in Akobo will now close over the next few weeks. She stressed that UNMISS will continue efforts to support peace and stability, including deploying peacekeepers to protect civilians and ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian aid.
“Other measures include engagement with government authorities at all levels, building community policing capacity, strengthening early warning systems, and initiatives to reduce tensions and prevent conflict,” she said.
UNMISS relies on the South Sudanese government to facilitate the closure and ensure peacekeepers can operate without restrictions, Mold added.
Last month, the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) ordered UN personnel and humanitarian workers to leave Akobo within 72 hours amid fighting with opposition forces, but UN personnel remained to protect civilians.
A high-level UN delegation visited Akobo County on Tuesday to meet with officials, including Jonglei Governor Dr. Riek Gai Kok. The governor said the closure of the base does not mark the end of UNMISS operations in the area.
“The decision to close the base does not mean the end of UNMISS presence. We also discussed the remaining challenges facing the county,” he said.
Akobo, near the Ethiopian border, was captured last month by SSPDF forces from the opposition SPLA-IO for the first time since 2013, displacing many residents and prompting humanitarian agencies to evacuate staff.
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