South Sudan’s military has ordered civilians, United Nations personnel, and aid workers to leave three counties in Jonglei State ahead of a major operation against opposition forces. The directive reflects a sharp escalation in a conflict that the United Nations says has reached levels of violence not seen since 2017, raising fresh fears of a wider breakdown in security across the country.
Evacuation Orders and Military Plans
In a statement on Sunday, the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces said an operation, code-named “Operation Enduring Peace,” was imminent. Civilians in Nyirol, Uror, and Akobo counties were instructed to evacuate immediately to government-controlled areas. All personnel from the UN Mission in South Sudan and non-governmental organisations were given 48 hours to leave the affected counties.
UN and Aid Agencies Respond
UNMISS confirmed that its peacekeepers in Akobo remained in place and were working under their mandate to de-escalate tensions and prevent further conflict, though it was unclear whether UN personnel had also stayed in the other two counties. Medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières said it had evacuated key staff from Akobo following clear instructions from authorities and in response to the rapidly deteriorating security situation.
Escalating Conflict in Jonglei
Jonglei, located in eastern South Sudan near the Ethiopian border, has become a focal point of fighting between government forces and fighters loyal to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition. Earlier this month, SPLA-IO forces seized the town of Pajut, a development seen as threatening the state capital Bor. Last week, the opposition called on its forces to march on the capital Juba, signalling a dangerous escalation.
Humanitarian Toll
The United Nations says around 180,000 people have already been displaced by the fighting in Jonglei. UNMISS has urged South Sudan’s leaders to halt the violence and prioritise civilian protection, warning that continued clashes risk reversing fragile gains made since the 2018 peace deal.
What’s Next
With a government offensive now declared imminent, further fighting in Jonglei appears likely in the coming days. Aid access to affected areas is expected to shrink as humanitarian groups pull back for safety, potentially worsening conditions for displaced communities. Diplomatically, pressure is likely to mount on South Sudan’s leadership to contain the violence and prevent the conflict from spreading toward Bor or the capital, Juba. The next phase will hinge on whether the planned military operation contains the opposition advance or triggers a broader confrontation that tests the country’s fragile peace agreement.
With information from Reuters.
