South Sudan’s military has issued an urgent order for all civilians and personnel from the United Nations and other aid organizations to leave three counties in Jonglei State as it prepares a major operation against opposition forces.
For months, South Sudan, Africa’s youngest nation, has been gripped by violent clashes the United Nations says are unlike anything seen since 2017. Jonglei, located in the east along the border with Ethiopia, has become a focal point of the unrest. Here, the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) are attempting to halt an offensive by fighters loyal to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO).
The SSPDF described an impending mission, code-named “Operation Enduring Peace,” as “imminent,” and stressed that civilians in Nyirol, Uror, and Akobo counties must evacuate immediately to government-controlled areas for their safety.
All personnel from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) were also instructed to leave these counties within 48 hours. A UNMISS spokesperson confirmed that peacekeepers in Akobo remain active, working to de-escalate tensions and prevent further conflict, though the presence of staff in the other counties remains unclear.
Tensions escalated last week when SPLA-IO called on its forces to advance toward the capital, Juba, marking a significant intensification of the conflict. Earlier this month, the group captured Pajut, a northern town in Jonglei, in heavy fighting, raising concerns that the state capital Bor could soon be at risk.
UNMISS reported that around 180,000 people have already been displaced by the ongoing violence, urging South Sudanese leaders to prioritize the welfare of their citizens and halt the fighting. Medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) also confirmed that it had evacuated key staff from Akobo county in response to security threats.
The roots of the current conflict trace back to the 2013-2018 civil war, largely along ethnic lines, which claimed approximately 400,000 lives. Although a peace deal in 2018 brought relative calm, localized clashes have persisted, and now the threat of wider violence looms once again.
At its heart, this crisis is more than a struggle for territory or power—it is a human tragedy. Families are uprooted, children face uncertainty, and communities that have already endured years of suffering are once again confronted with fear and displacement. Amid political maneuvers and military strategy, the voices of ordinary South Sudanese remind us that behind every headline are lives hanging in the balance.
