JUBA, South Sudan.
The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) has ordered the withdrawal of peacekeepers from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) temporary operating base in Akobo, citing an expansion of ongoing military operations in the area.
In a press statement issued on March 6, SSPDF spokesperson Lul Ruai Koang said the decision follows the completion of the first phase of a military campaign dubbed “Operation Enduring Peace.”
According to the statement, Akobo town and surrounding areas have now become the focus of the second phase of the operation, prompting the army to order the immediate closure of the UN peacekeeping base in the town.
The directive requires UNMISS forces to withdraw from the temporary base within 72 hours, while UN agencies and non-governmental organizations operating in the area have also been instructed to evacuate within the same timeframe.
The SSPDF also issued a warning to civilians living in Akobo and nearby villages, urging them to relocate to areas under government control or move to places they consider safer.
“The orders are being issued in advance in order to avoid unnecessary collateral damage,” the statement sai
The situation in Akobo and the wider northern part of Jonglei State has deteriorated in recent weeks following clashes between government forces and opposition elements linked to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army‑In Opposition (SPLA-IO).
The tensions reportedly escalated in the nearby town of Waat, where fighting broke out between rival forces. The violence led to the displacement of civilians and disruptions to humanitarian operations in the region.
Government troops later launched counter-operations aimed at regaining strategic locations that had fallen under opposition control. Among the key targets were several military outposts and bases, including positions around Waat and other parts of northern Jonglei.
Military sources say the army has since recaptured a number of those bases, which officials describe as a significant step in stabilizing the region and restoring government authority
Despite these gains, analysts say the situation across South Sudan remains fragile. The country continues to struggle with intermittent violence and tensions among armed factions, even as leaders attempt to implement provisions of the 2018 peace agreement.
The withdrawal of UNMISS forces from Akobo could raise concerns among humanitarian organizations and civilians who rely on the presence of peacekeepers for protection in conflict-prone areas.
UNMISS has played a key role in protecting civilians and supporting stability across several regions of the country since the outbreak of civil conflict in 2013.
As the SSPDF moves forward with the second phase of its operation, attention will now turn to how the unfolding military campaign may affect civilians and humanitarian activities in Akobo and the surrounding areas
