The United Nation Security Council has extended the mandate of the United Nation’s Mission in South Sudan for nine days with hope to issued another status updates.
According to the statement, the UNMISS mandate as per the short extension will expires on May 9 2025.
The short-term extension, approved unanimously in Resolution 2778 (2025), allows the mission to continue using “all necessary means” to carry out its tasks beyond its original expiration date of April 30.
On April 29, 2024, the UN Security Council extended UNMISS’s mandate for one year to help prevent a relapse into civil war and an escalation of violence in the East African nation.
The move gives the council more time to deliberate amid worsening political and security conditions in the country.
South Sudan has faced renewed instability as friction grows between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, who was placed under house arrest in the capital, Juba, on March 26.
UNMISS was first established in 2011 under Resolution 1996 to support peacekeeping efforts in South Sudan after its independence.
The Security Council has since renewed its mandate annually, citing ongoing threats to regional security.
However, reacting to the extension, the Executive Director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) has urged political leaders to prioritize peace.
The Activist said the move shows global concern over country’s direction and urged leaders to urgently pursue peace.
“Our country is on the brink of becoming a crisis zone. South Sudanese political leaders should prioritize peace above all. We need peace to rebuild our lives as citizens,” he said.
On separate statement, Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), urged the renewal of the mandate with a strong emphasis on protection and technical support for the elections.
“CEPO strongly urges the government of South Sudan and United Nations Security Council leaders to renew the UNMISS mandate with a stronger focus on the protection of civilians and technical political support for the transitional process,” Yakani stated.
He added, “Strengthening UNMISS’s role in human rights, civic space, and conflict early warning reporting should be prioritized.”
Yakani commended UNMISS for its significant role in preventing violence and protecting civilians. He also called on South Sudanese citizens to appreciate the work of UNMISS and urged those spreading misinformation about the mission to stop.
“CEPO urges those deeply involved in providing misinformation, hate speech, hostile propaganda, and disinformation, including fake news about UNMISS performance, to refrain from such activities and seek accurate information first,” Yakani emphasized.
He appealed to the South Sudan government to cooperate with UNMISS to ensure conflict prevention and the protection of civilians.
