JUBA, South Sudan (AP) — The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) announced on Monday that it would not comply with a government directive to close its base in Akobo, a significant opposition stronghold near the Ethiopian border. The area has seen an influx of tens of thousands of refugees fleeing violence, and the U.N. has emphasized its commitment to maintaining a protective presence for civilians in the region.
Last Friday, the South Sudanese army issued an order for U.N. peacekeepers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and civilians to evacuate Akobo due to an imminent military operation planned for the town. UNMISS rejected this order, asserting that it would continue to provide security and support for the civilian population. The mission stated that the safety and security of its personnel must be guaranteed at all times. Anita Kiki Gbeho, the head of UNMISS, expressed concerns about the threat that military operations pose to civilians in and around Akobo, emphasizing the need for dialogue with national, state, and local stakeholders regarding the situation.
The ongoing conflict in South Sudan has escalated since a 2018 peace agreement deteriorated approximately one year ago. A dramatic increase in violence was noted in December 2025 when opposition forces took control of several government outposts in northern Jonglei state. A subsequent government counter-offensive pushed back these forces within a month, displacing over 280,000 individuals, many of whom found refuge in Akobo, where a small contingent of U.N. peacekeepers is stationed.
In light of the impending government assault on Akobo, humanitarian organizations have begun evacuating their staff, and a mass exodus of residents has commenced. Local officials, including Dual Diew, the Akobo County health director, reported that those fleeing are facing significant dangers and widespread shortages of essential supplies. Diew, who fled to Ethiopia, noted that there were 84 wounded patients at the local hospital, emphasizing a critical lack of medicine and basic nursing equipment.
Christophe Garnier, the leader of Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières) in South Sudan, reported that their staff had to evacuate Akobo on Saturday. Following this evacuation, the organization learned of the looting of its hospital and office, further exacerbating the already dire situation for the remaining civilian population. Garnier lamented that civilians in Akobo are now left with two precarious choices: either flee without adequate protection or stay and face the risk of violence, losing access to vital healthcare and other essential services.
In response to the dire circumstances, three Western nations heavily invested in the peace process—the United States, the United Kingdom, and Norway—sent a letter to South Sudan's President Salva Kiir on Monday. In their correspondence, they urged the government to revoke the evacuation order, cautioning that any military offensive on Akobo could lead to further casualties, relocation of people, and increased suffering for the citizens of South Sudan.
As the situation continues to develop, the international community remains concerned about the humanitarian implications of the South Sudanese government's actions in Akobo. The inability to protect civilian lives and maintain essential services underscores the need for swift intervention and diplomatic engagement to prevent an escalation of violence in the region.
