Saturday, 8 August 2026 |Guest Writer | Christopher Mayars | New York | GT-News |
The United States has urged South Sudan’s leaders to end the country’s violence and political deadlock, warning that civilians continue to pay the price as political competition fuels conflict and restricts humanitarian and peacekeeping operations.
Speaking at the United Nations Security Council, U.S. Ambassador Jennifer Locetta, Alternative Representative for Special Political Affairs, said South Sudan remained far from the peace and stability envisioned when the country gained independence 15 years ago.
“Conflict continues to rob its people of long-promised stability,” Locetta said.
She cited alarming figures from the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), saying that between April and July, 418 people were killed, 400 injured and 122 abducted, while more than 420,000 people were displaced from their homes.
The violence has also been accompanied by rising reports of sexual violence and other human rights abuses.
Locetta highlighted the testimony of a mother in Western Equatoria State who described the devastating impact of the conflict on families.
“Our children are dying like flowers falling. We need real peace,” the woman said.
The U.S. official said renewed fighting in Akobo, days before South Sudan’s Independence Day, involving government forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition, underscored the fragility of the country’s security situation.
“This is not the South Sudan that the world envisioned,” she told Council members.
UNMISS faces restrictions
Washington also expressed concern over restrictions imposed on UNMISS, saying the mission has faced growing obstacles while attempting to protect civilians and support humanitarian operations.
According to Locetta, UNMISS recorded 86 violations of the Status of Forces Agreement between April and July, including 84 cases involving government-imposed restrictions on UNMISS patrol movements.
Despite the restrictions, she said UNMISS continued efforts to de-escalate violence in areas including Akobo and Leer, protect humanitarian convoys and document human rights violations.
“Peacekeepers cannot manufacture political will where none exists,” Locetta said.
She called on South Sudan’s authorities to cooperate with the UN mission, arguing that greater cooperation would enable UNMISS to provide stronger protection to civilians and respond more effectively to emerging crises.
Pressure over elections
The U.S. statement also raised concerns about South Sudan’s political transition and preparations for elections.
Locetta accused South Sudan’s leaders of repeatedly using promises of elections to maintain international support while failing to adequately address the country’s humanitarian, economic and security crises.
She said substantial public resources remain unused for public purposes and stressed that, if elections go ahead, South Sudan’s leaders must ensure peaceful conditions and finance the process using the country’s own public resources.
The comments come as South Sudan faces growing pressure to implement the 2018 peace agreement and create conditions for a credible political transition.
Call for political dialogue
The United States said genuine political dialogue is essential to preventing further violence but warned that such dialogue remains difficult while the leader of the second-largest party to the 2018 peace agreement remains under house arrest and on trial.
Locetta called for direct engagement among all parties that signed the peace agreement, saying political differences must be resolved through dialogue rather than violence.
“The people of South Sudan need leaders who choose peace over power, and accountability over impunity,” she said.
The United States urged South Sudan’s leaders to end the violence, facilitate direct dialogue among all signatories to the peace agreement and stop obstructing UNMISS operations.
The warning adds to growing international concern over South Sudan’s worsening security and humanitarian situation, as civilians continue to face displacement, killings, abductions and other abuses while the country struggles to move from a fragile peace process toward lasting stability.
