NAIROBI — In a unanimous vote this week, the United Nations Security Council approved a temporary extension of the mandate for the U.N. Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), prolonging the presence of peacekeepers until May 9 amid growing fears of renewed conflict in the fragile nation.
The extension, adopted under Resolution 2778 (2025), authorizes UNMISS to use “all necessary means” to fulfill its responsibilities, including civilian protection, conflict monitoring, and support for the implementation of the 2018 revitalized peace agreement. The mission’s mandate was originally set to expire on April 30.
The short-term renewal comes at a critical moment for South Sudan’s transitional government. A deepening rift between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar—former civil war adversaries turned uneasy partners—has shaken the core of the power-sharing deal that was intended to stabilize the world’s youngest country.
Tensions escalated sharply after Mr. Machar was placed under house arrest in Juba on March 26, an action that has been condemned by regional observers and raised concerns over the future of the peace agreement.
The detainment has eroded what little trust remained between the rival camps, and with key benchmarks in the agreement still unmet, analysts warn of a looming collapse.
“This is an extremely fragile moment,” said a senior U.N. official involved in the mission, speaking on condition of anonymity. “There’s a real risk that the political process unravels entirely, plunging the country back into violent instability.”
UNMISS, which has operated in South Sudan since the country’s independence in 2011, has repeatedly been credited with preventing large-scale atrocities and supporting efforts to build peace and accountability.
The mission currently includes more than 17,000 uniformed personnel and civilian staff, working across the country to monitor ceasefires, provide humanitarian assistance, and support elections planning.
In the latest Security Council briefing on April 16, U.N. Special Representative Nicholas Haysom warned that delays in implementing the peace roadmap, coupled with deepening political infighting, had left South Sudan vulnerable to renewed armed conflict, particularly in oil-rich states where localized violence persists.
Diplomats in New York said the short extension was meant to allow time for further deliberation on the future structure and mandate of the mission, including possible adjustments based on the evolving political situation.
Several members of the Council are reportedly advocating for stronger provisions on accountability and regional diplomacy, while others are pushing for a reassessment of troop levels.
For now, UNMISS continues to operate under the same authorization it has held for years—but the uncertainty surrounding its future underscores the broader volatility gripping South Sudan’s transition.
