UN To Cut Peacekeeping Force In Conflict-Torn South Sudan From 17,000 To 12,000
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council voted Thursday to lower the peacekeeping force ceiling in conflict-torn South Sudan from 17,000 to 12,000. prevent a return to civil war in the world’s newest country.
The vote on the draft resolution prepared by the USA was 13-0, while Russia and China abstained. The mandate of the force is being extended until April 30, 2027.
U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz told the council that the resolution was aimed at returning the force “back to basics” (keeping the peace, protecting civilians and civilians). supporting access to humanitarian aid.
There were high hopes when oil-rich South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 after a long conflict. But the country was plunged into a civil war largely based on ethnic divisions in December 2013, with forces loyal to Salva Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, fighting forces loyal to Riek Machar, an ethnic Nuer.
More than 400,000 people were killed in the war that resulted in a peace deal in 2018 and a national unity government with Kiir as president and Machar as vice president. But Kiir’s government Machar is under house arrest She accused him of subversive activities in March 2025 and he now faces treason charges.
Machar’s dismissal coincided with a sharp incident increase in violence and a Transcript of the 2018 peace agreementBut the long-delayed presidential election is still scheduled for December.
Waltz said the United States is concerned that Kiir’s government is “exploiting international support and hindering those who are actually trying to help.”
Between October and March, for example, the U.N. force recorded more than 480 incidents in which peacekeepers were blocked, humanitarian access was blocked, repatriation flights were blocked, bases were forced to close and “millions of dollars were lost and wasted,” Waltz said.
He said the United States was serious when it said the UN’s far-flung peacekeeping missions should be temporary to help governments “navigate peace and security crises.”
Russia’s deputy ambassador, Anna Evstigneeva, argued that the mission’s ceiling should be maintained.
“The mission needs to be ready for all kinds of scenarios and security challenges,” he said. “It must have sufficient resources for this.”
