By Spy Uganda
The United Nations Security Council was briefed Friday on a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in South Sudan, following renewed fighting and the recent capture of a key town by opposition forces.
Officials said conditions on the ground have worsened significantly in recent months, with rising violence, mass displacement, and growing food insecurity affecting millions.
Anita Kiki Gbeho, head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, told the council that the security environment remains volatile. She cited a 40 percent increase in deaths and injuries in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to UN human rights reports.
The briefing came less than a week after opposition forces retook the strategic town of Akobo from government troops. The town is considered one of the last strongholds of the opposition led by Riek Machar, the country’s detained vice president.
South Sudan has experienced renewed conflict after a 2018 peace agreement between the government and opposition forces began to unravel roughly a year ago. Since then, sporadic fighting has escalated into broader clashes in several مناطق.
Gbeho also warned of operational challenges facing peacekeeping efforts. Due to funding constraints, the UNMISS base in Akobo is expected to close, raising concerns about the protection of civilians in the area.
“As the Security Council deliberates on the renewal of the UNMISS mandate, it is important to recognize the dilemma we collectively face,” she said, pointing to the gap between rising needs and shrinking resources.
Tom Fletcher, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, addressed the council via video link, describing a deepening humanitarian emergency.
He reported that about 250,000 people have been displaced since December, while approximately 1.35 million people in Zhonglei State have lost access to healthcare services. Fletcher also warned that food insecurity has reached emergency levels in several parts of the country.
“I fear that my next briefing will speak of famine,” he said, adding that more than 7.5 million people are expected to require food assistance this year.
Humanitarian agencies say the crisis reflects a dangerous convergence of conflict, limited aid funding, and fragile infrastructure in one of the world’s youngest nations.
As the Security Council considers the future of the UN peacekeeping mission, officials say urgent action will be needed to prevent further deterioration and avert a potential famine.
