Conflict-affected people in Akobo County, Jonglei State
Tuesday, 10 March 2026 | Author – Alex Onyango | Nairobi-Kenya |Photo: United Nations| GT-News |
The United Nations and South Sudan’s peace monitoring body have warned that a planned military offensive in Jonglei State could put civilians at risk and threaten the country’s fragile peace agreement.
The warning follows a directive issued on 6 March by the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) ordering civilians, UN peacekeepers, and humanitarian organisations to leave Akobo County within 72 hours ahead of a planned military operation.
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said it had been engaging national, state and local authorities after the announcement, stressing that military action in populated areas could have serious consequences for civilians.
“Any military operations in and around Akobo gravely endanger the safety and security of civilians,” said Anita Kiki Gbeho, the UNMISS resident humanitarian coordinator.
Despite the directive, the mission said its peacekeepers would remain in Akobo to maintain a protective presence for civilians.
South Sudan’s peace oversight body, the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), also expressed concern, warning the planned offensive could escalate tensions and trigger displacement.
The commission said the move risks undermining the 2018 Revitalised Peace Agreement, which ended years of civil war.
The peace monitoring body urged the South Sudanese army to exercise restraint and called on the transitional government to address security concerns through mechanisms established under the peace deal rather than through military action.
Aid agencies operating in the area are also monitoring the situation closely, as Akobo — located near the Ethiopian border — relies heavily on humanitarian assistance.
Both UNMISS and RJMEC have urged all parties to de-escalate tensions and ensure the safety of civilians, humanitarian workers, and UN personnel while pursuing dialogue to resolve the current security concerns.
