The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has refused to comply with a government order to shut down its base in Akobo, an opposition stronghold near the Ethiopian border. The town is home to tens of thousands of refugees who have fled recent violence.
Key Takeaways
UN peacekeepers in South Sudan have refused to leave their base in Akobo despite a government order ahead of an impending military assault. The town has seen mass evacuations as civilians flee towards Ethiopia.
- UN defies evacuation order in opposition-held Akobo
- Tens of thousands displaced amid escalating conflict
- Humanitarian workers evacuated, hospitals looted and ransacked
- Western governments urge South Sudan to revoke offensive orders
On Friday, the South Sudanese army ordered UN peacekeepers and humanitarian organizations to vacate the town ahead of a planned assault. However, UNMISS stated it would remain in Akobo to provide 'a protective presence for civilians' and emphasized that the safety and security of its personnel must be respected.
Akobo has become a refuge for over 82,000 displaced people since opposition forces seized several government outposts in northern Jonglei last December. A subsequent government counter-offensive repelled these forces but displaced more than 280,000 people across the region. The town's relative safety had been attributed to the presence of a small contingent of UN peacekeepers.
Humanitarian workers were evacuated from Akobo over the weekend as civilians began fleeing towards Ethiopia. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported that its surgical unit at the local hospital was still operational, though staff faced challenges in evacuating wounded patients due to fuel shortages. Doctors Without Borders also reported that their facilities had been looted and ransacked after they were forced to evacuate.
The South Sudanese government has been engaged in conflict with opposition forces since a 2018 peace deal broke down about a year ago. The situation has escalated dramatically, raising fears of a return to full-scale civil war. Western governments involved in the peace process have urged President Salva Kiir to revoke the evacuation order and warned of further deaths and displacement if the offensive proceeds.
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