Urgent Call for Aid as South Sudan Faces Crisis
Amid escalating violence and political turmoil, a senior UN official has urged immediate action to prevent South Sudan from slipping back into conflict. Nicholas Haysom, Head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), addressed the Security Council, emphasizing the critical need for all parties to adhere to the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement. With millions in need of humanitarian assistance, the situation is dire, and the risk of a humanitarian disaster looms large.
Escalating Violence Threatens Peace Gains
During a recent Security Council meeting, Nicholas Haysom warned that South Sudan’s political and security landscape is deteriorating rapidly. He highlighted the alarming standoff between the two main signatories of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, which has escalated into open military confrontations. The conflict’s roots can be traced back to early March when the White Army attacked a South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) garrison in Nasir, leading to significant casualties, including women and children.
Haysom reported that air strikes in the region have further exacerbated the situation, resulting in the tragic death of a UNMISS crew member and numerous military personnel. The ongoing recruitment of children by both the White Army and SSPDF, coupled with the deployment of Ugandan forces, has heightened public fear. He also noted the systematic removal and detention of senior figures from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in Opposition (SPLM-IO), including the arrest of First Vice-President Riek Machar, marking a troubling decline in the political landscape.
Haysom cautioned that misinformation and hate speech are fueling tensions reminiscent of the violent conflicts of 2013 and 2016, which claimed over 400,000 lives. He called on both national and international stakeholders to urgently work towards a cessation of hostilities and to uphold the integrity of the peace agreement. UNMISS is actively engaged in facilitating a peaceful resolution, collaborating with the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). He stressed the need for the Security Council to ensure all parties respect the ceasefire and release detained officials.
Humanitarian Crisis Looms Large
Edem Wosornu, Director of Operations and Advocacy at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, warned that failure to address the political crisis could lead to a humanitarian nightmare. Currently, 9.3 million South Sudanese—three-quarters of the population—require humanitarian assistance. The recent surge in violence and displacement, particularly in Upper Nile State, has increased the vulnerability of women and girls to gender-based violence and exploitation.
With close to 7.7 million people facing acute hunger, the World Food Programme has raised alarms about vulnerable families in the northeast region reaching a critical tipping point. The influx of 1.1 million returnees and refugees since April 2023 has placed immense pressure on local services, food supplies, and fragile infrastructure, especially in border areas like Renk, Malakal, and Aweil. Wosornu emphasized the urgent need for funding to meet the escalating humanitarian needs, highlighting that the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan requires $1.7 billion to support nearly 5.4 million people in South Sudan.
Civilians Bear the Brunt of Ongoing Violence
Jackline Nasiwa, Executive Director of the Center for Inclusive Governance, Peace and Justice, shed light on the devastating impact of the violence on civilians, particularly women and girls. Her organization has encountered numerous survivors of sexual violence who urgently need health services and psychosocial support. Nasiwa expressed that the people of South Sudan are “tired and traumatized,” unable to heal in an environment plagued by continuous violence and political instability. She underscored the importance of inclusive peace processes, noting the insufficient implementation of the 35 percent quota for women’s participation in governance. Currently, only two women serve among the nine commissioners on the National Elections Commission, with none represented in State High Committees. Nasiwa highlighted the crucial role of UNMISS in preventing violence and stressed the need to prioritize gender considerations in the implementation of its mandate.
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