Security Council Meeting on South Sudan

• SRSG Haysom warns of relapse into catastrophic conflict

• Nicholas Haysom describes South Sudan’s trajectory as “darkly reminiscent” of past civil wars. He says the peace agreement is the only viable solution and calls on the Council to support UNMISS and prevent the country from slipping into broader conflict.

   

• OCHA’s Edem Wosornu describes a looming humanitarian nightmare

• Wosornu reports that 9.3 million people need assistance, with hunger and disease on the rise. She highlights the impact of looted hospitals, cholera outbreaks, and displacement, calling for immediate ceasefire, protection of aid workers, and emergency funding.

   

• Civil society briefer Jackline Nasiwa calls for protection of civic space

• Nasiwa urges the Council to defend civic and political space and warns of growing threats to women and human rights defenders. She calls for grassroots peacebuilding, expanded survivor support, and increased UNMISS backing for women’s participation in governance.

   

• United States condemns violence and warns of peace process collapse

• The US expresses alarm over aerial bombardments and the “indiscriminate use of barrel bombs.” It warns that the peace process “appears to be collapsing” and calls for strong pressure on South Sudan’s leaders to cease violence and fully implement the peace agreement.

   

• Sierra Leone, for A3+, urges detainee release and electoral progress

• Speaking for Algeria, Ghana, Somalia, and Sierra Leone, the representative raises concerns over political detentions and the attack on a UN helicopter. The group calls for inclusive dialogue, protection of civilians, and international support for credible elections in 2026.

   

• United Kingdom demands Machar’s release and free UNMISS movement

• The UK condemns the detention of First Vice President Machar and escalating conflict in Upper Nile. It calls for a ceasefire, serious engagement with regional mediators, and unhindered operations for UNMISS, which it describes as “a peace partner” for South Sudan.

   

• Pakistan praises UNMISS patrols and calls for stronger mandate

• Pakistan highlights UNMISS’s 8,551 patrols in March and its own engineering contributions. It joins calls for Machar’s release and emphasizes the need to fully staff and strengthen the mission to meet growing operational demands.

   

• Panama denounces rights abuses and calls for electoral engagement

• Panama condemns grave violations against children and rising sexual violence. While welcoming the 2026 electoral calendar, it raises concern over delays in civic education and urges action to protect civilians and uphold human rights.

   

• Greece condemns polarization and violations of international law

• Greece expresses concern over aerial bombardments, child recruitment, and the presence of foreign forces. It says these trends endanger both the peace agreement and South Sudan’s territorial integrity and calls for continued support to UNMISS.

   

• Denmark warns of return to civil war, urges regional mediation

• Denmark describes recent developments as “alarming” and says Machar’s detention undermines trust. It backs AU-led mediation, calls for protection of women and youth, and urges full accountability for rights violations.

   

• Guyana and Slovenia link conflict to hunger, call for protection of civilians

• Delivering a joint statement, the two countries point to a dire food crisis, with 7.7 million South Sudanese facing severe hunger. They urge compliance with humanitarian law, protection of aid workers, and targeted support for vulnerable groups.

   

• Russia urges calm and trust in South Sudanese leadership

• Russia warns against “accusatory rhetoric” and stresses support for South Sudan’s sovereignty. It welcomes President Kiir’s assurance that the country will not return to war and emphasizes that stabilization must come through trusted, regional mediation efforts.

   

• China supports African-led solutions and warns against outside pressure

• China praises President Kiir’s call for restraint and backs IGAD and African Union mediation. It warns the international community to avoid “undue pressure” and calls for more humanitarian assistance amid worsening conditions.

   

• Republic of Korea highlights foreign intervention and regional risks

• South Korea warns that the surge in violence, including foreign military involvement, threatens regional stability. It calls for a renewed ceasefire, full respect for the Status of Forces Agreement, and support for inclusive, peaceful dialogue.

   

• France calls for de-escalation and recommitment to peace agreement

• Presiding over the meeting, France urges all parties to return to the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement. It condemns the arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar, and backs calls for his release. France emphasizes the need for inclusive political dialogue, support for UNMISS, and respect for international humanitarian law.

   

• South Sudan reaffirms commitment to peace and justice

• South Sudan’s representative acknowledges international concerns but reaffirms the government’s commitment to the peace agreement. She pledges a full investigation into the UN helicopter attack, emphasizes national efforts to de-escalate tensions, and says, “We choose peace.” The government commits to implementing reforms and preparing for the 2026 elections with regional and UN support.

                

Security Council Hears Dire Warnings of Escalation in South Sudan, as UNMISS and Humanitarian Leaders Urge Immediate Action

NEW YORK, 16 April 2025 — Amid warnings of political collapse and humanitarian catastrophe, the United Nations Security Council convened today to assess the deteriorating situation in South Sudan. The Council heard from senior UN officials, civil society, and Member States, many of whom voiced alarm over the country’s descent into violence and called for urgent steps to uphold the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, support the work of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), and prevent a return to full-scale civil war.

Top UN Officials Warn of Conflict Relapse and Humanitarian Catastrophe

Opening the session, Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), painted a bleak picture of rapidly escalating conflict. Describing recent developments as a “sharp deterioration” in both the political and security environment, he cited direct military confrontations, aerial bombardments, and displacement of over 80,000 civilians.

He condemned the attack on an UNMISS helicopter in Nasir in March, in which an UNMISS crew member and several South Sudanese soldiers were killed. Haysom warned of a new phase of conflict “darkly reminiscent of the 2013 and 2016 conflicts,” which claimed over 400,000 lives.

“The parties must resolve tensions through dialogue, build trust and confidence,” he urged, warning that the conflict could tip the country into “a broader crisis” without immediate intervention.

He emphasized that while UNMISS remains committed to its four-fold mandate — protecting civilians, facilitating humanitarian aid, supporting the peace agreement, and monitoring human rights — operational constraints and movement restrictions are severely limiting the Mission’s ability to respond. “UNMISS is a peacekeeping mission, not an army,” he said, warning that unless parties return to dialogue, South Sudan simply could not afford another war.

Edem Wosornu, Director of Operations and Advocacy at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), echoed the urgency. She called the situation a “humanitarian nightmare,” stating that 9.3 million South Sudanese—three quarters of the population—now require aid. Of those, 7.7 million face acute food insecurity, with 650,000 children under five at risk of severe malnutrition.

She described widespread displacement, looted hospitals, and an “unprecedented influx” of returnees from Sudan that is further straining services. “The window of opportunity must be seized,” she said, urging an “immediate cessation of hostilities” and flexible funding to support the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan.

Civil Society Urges Inclusive Governance, Gender Prioritization

Bringing the voice of civil society to the Council, Jackline Nasiwa, Founder of the Center for Inclusive Governance, Peace and Justice, called for urgent international pressure to stop the fighting, protect civilians, and preserve civic space. She decried the erosion of fundamental freedoms and the systematic exclusion of women, noting that only two out of nine electoral commissioners are women. “The people of South Sudan are tired and traumatized,” she said. They “cannot heal in an environment of unending violence and political uncertainty”.

She highlighted UNMISS reports finding that 65% of women and girls in South Sudan faced some form of gender-based violence during their lifetime, one of the highest in the region. She emphasized prioritizing gender in UNMISS's mandate, especially in protecting civilians against gender-based violence and ensuring South Sudan meets its international obligations.

Broad Council Consensus: Protect the Peace Agreement, Support UNMISS

Council members expressed widespread support for the Revitalized Peace Agreement and emphasized the need to safeguard the electoral timeline, maintain humanitarian access, and reinforce UNMISS’s ability to operate.

Presiding over the session, France urged the parties to “go back to the Revitalized Peace Agreement” and stressed the importance of respecting the ceasefire and resuming dialogue. France condemned the arbitrary detention of opposition figures and reiterated support for President Salva Kiir’s public commitment to avoid war. France also reaffirmed its full support for UNMISS and condemned any acts of violence against peacekeepers, emphasizing that such attacks may constitute war crimes.

The United States was deeply concerned about recent arrests of opposition leaders, including First Vice President Riek Machar, and the use of “barrel bombs” against civilians. It criticized the transitional government for failing to implement the peace deal and warned that “the entire peace process appears to be collapsing.”

“The Council and UNMISS can only do so much without political will,” said the representative, urging the transitional government to enable UNMISS to operate without hindrance.

Speaking for the A3+ group, Sierra Leone expressed “deep concern” at the detentions and breakdown of unity in the transitional government. The group reaffirmed its support for regional mediation and urged a “swift, credible, and transparent investigation” into the helicopter attack. The A3+ called for enabling civic space and mobilizing resources for “credible, transparent, and inclusive elections in 2026”.

The United Kingdom decried “the arrest and ongoing detention of First Vice President Machar,” calling it a violation of the 2018 agreement. The UK also condemned the helicopter attack and emphasized UNMISS’s role in de-escalation, urging unhindered humanitarian access to regions like Nasir and Ulang.

Delivering a joint statement, Guyana and Slovenia emphasized the “convergence of crises” facing South Sudan, from conflict and food insecurity to disease outbreaks. They highlighted that 7.7 million people are projected to face severe hunger between April and July 2025 and called for urgent humanitarian interventions to prevent famine and protect the most vulnerable.

Pakistan backed calls for Machar’s release and praised UNMISS for conducting over 8,500 patrols in March alone. It cited Pakistan’s own contribution through engineering support and flood mitigation in Bentiu, protecting over 300,000 people. UNMISS must be “adequately strengthened and reinforced,” the delegate stressed.

Diverging Views: Calls for Sovereignty and Regional Solutions

While most Council members called for intensified international engagement, Russia and China stressed respect for South Sudan’s sovereignty and the need for African-led mediation. Russia urged the Council to support “the authority's efforts towards stabilization” and cautioned against “reciprocal accusatory rhetoric.” Referring to the government’s assurances to avoid war, Russia noted the importance of regional cooperation and called for calm as the country heads toward its 2026 elections.

China similarly welcomed President Salva Kiir’s statements and affirmed support for “African solutions to African issues.” It warned against “undue pressure” from external actors, while also urging all sides to commit to peaceful dialogue and humanitarian protection. China reiterated its condemnation of attacks on peacekeepers and pledged continued support for UNMISS, noting the critical role it plays amid regional instability.

A Wider International Lens: Regional Stability, Gender Justice, and Civic Participation

Other Council members also brought a broader lens to the discussion. Greece expressed grave concern about political polarization and the deployment of foreign forces, warning that such actions not only jeopardize the peace agreement but also threaten South Sudan’s “territorial integrity and sovereignty as well as regional stability.” The Greek representative strongly condemned violations of international humanitarian law, especially aerial strikes on civilians and recruitment of child soldiers, calling for urgent action on both fronts.

Denmark warned that the country was at risk of repeating past horrors and called for renewed commitment to the peace agreement. “Now is the time to recommit,” the Danish representative said, also pressing for greater inclusion of women and accountability for gender-based violence. She praised UNMISS’s steadfast role and called on South Sudan to fully comply with the Status of Forces Agreement.

Panama emphasized the importance of regional diplomacy to contain the conflict and preserve progress. Citing over 100 grave violations against children and a deteriorating humanitarian landscape, the Panamanian representative urged protection of civilians and accountability for sexual violence. While welcoming the 2026 electoral calendar, Panama expressed concern over delays in civic education and constitutional consultations — both seen as crucial for the democratic transition.

The Republic of Korea noted that the surge in violence could potentially breach Security Council Resolution 2729 and voiced alarm over the presence of foreign forces on South Sudanese soil. South Korea called on the transitional government to respect UNMISS’s freedom of movement and engage constructively with regional partners to avoid further escalation.

South Sudan Responds: “We Choose Peace”

Closing the session, South Sudan’s Permanent Representative acknowledged concerns and pledged the government's continued commitment to the peace process. “We must not return to war,” she quoted President Kiir as saying, and reaffirmed the government’s willingness to work with IGAD, the African Union, and the UN to de-escalate tensions, finalize constitutional reforms, and ensure credible elections. The representative also confirmed that investigations into the March helicopter attack were underway.

 

               

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Background and related

Short Background:

The United Nations Security Council will meet on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, to address the situation in South Sudan, with a key briefing by Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS. The discussion will center on recent escalating violence in Upper Nile State, where clashes involving the White Army led to significant casualties. Tensions have further escalated following airstrikes in the region that resulted in civilian deaths. These developments are detailed in Haysom’s public remarks to the Security Council in March 2025 (UNMISS).

The briefing may also cover the stalled implementation of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement (UNMISS). Haysom is expected to raise concerns about a worsening humanitarian crisis, with over 6.1 million people facing food insecurity (IPC), largely due to conflict-induced displacement and farming disruption (UN Daily Briefing). The Council will also begin deliberations on the renewal of the UNMISS mandate, which is set to expire on April 30, 2025, as outlined in a recent press note from the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (UN Press).

 

South Sudan Briefing Related Links

 

UNMISS and Peacekeeping Press Releases:

https://unmiss.unmissions.org/press-releases

https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/press-releases/101

 

UNMISS News：

Meeting Coverage Press Releases on South Sudan

Human Rights Reports and Statements on South Sudan

OCHA’s Work in South Sudan

 

UN Web TV:

Past Briefings by Nicolas Haysom (UNMISS)

Past Security Council Meetings on South Sudan