Residents of Akobo County in Jonglei State are reportedly gripped by fear following an order by the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) directing the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), humanitarian agencies, and civilians to vacate the area within 72 hours.
Civil society activists say the directive has heightened anxiety among local communities who depend on the presence of UN peacekeepers and humanitarian agencies for security and assistance.
Responding to the directive, the Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), Edmund Yakani, described the order as disturbing.
He warned that forcing UNMISS to leave Akobo could undermine the protection of civilians and threaten adherence to both national and international legal frameworks governing civilian safety.
Yakani stressed that the UNMISS Temporary Operating Base (TOB) in Akobo was established under the mission’s mandate, which operates under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
Under this mandate, UN peacekeepers are authorized to take necessary measures, including the use of force if required, to protect civilians under threat of violence and to help maintain international peace and security.
“It will be a shame for the international community if UNMISS leaves Akobo and the civilian population is exposed to possible grave human rights violations,” Yakani said.
He warned that if UNMISS accepts the order and withdraws from the area, it could weaken the authority and credibility of the peacekeeping mission across South Sudan.
“This could mark the beginning of the end of UNMISS in South Sudan and the protection of civilians,” he added.
CEPO also revealed that it has received multiple phone calls from civilians in Akobo expressing fear over the possibility of renewed fighting.
According to Yakani, residents are pleading with both the SSPDF and the SPLA-IO to refrain from military confrontation and allow the ceasefire arrangements to function.
“Military solutions to political crises endanger civilians. Undermining the protection of civilians is a clear indicator of potential grave human rights violations,” he said, urging leaders of the conflicting parties to prioritize dialogue rather than armed confrontation.
The civil society organization further called on the parties to respect the recent declaration issued by the African Union C-5 Plus group on South Sudan’s transitional political process, warning that continued military confrontations after the February 15, 2026 declaration undermine regional peace efforts.
The warning from CEPO follows a directive issued on Friday by the SSPDF ordering UN personnel, humanitarian organizations, and civilians in Akobo to leave the town and surrounding areas within 72 hours.
In a press statement released by SSPDF spokesperson Lul Ruai Koang, the military said the directive was issued ahead of the next phase of security operations in the region.
Maj. Gen. Koang, who serves as Director for Media and Press of the SSPDF, said the decision came after the successful completion of the first phase of Operation Enduring Peace, with Akobo identified as the focus of the second phase of the offensive operations.
According to the statement, the evacuation order was issued to prevent unnecessary collateral damage and to ensure the safety of civilians, UN personnel, and humanitarian workers operating in the area.
“All UN agencies, NGOs, and their staff are ordered to leave within the same 72-hour window of opportunity, and civilians are instructed to either relocate to the nearest SSPDF-controlled areas or move to locations they consider safer,” Maj. Gen. Koang said.
The SSPDF added that the advance notice was intended to allow sufficient time for an orderly evacuation, emphasizing the army’s commitment to minimizing harm during the planned military operations.
Akobo town, located near the border with Ethiopia, has long been considered a strategic location in South Sudan’s security landscape and has previously witnessed military tensions.
Maj. Gen. Koang urged UN personnel, humanitarian agencies, and residents to comply with the directive and coordinate with SSPDF authorities during the relocation process to ensure a safe transition and prevent unnecessary casualties.
However, civil society groups warn that removing UN peacekeepers and humanitarian actors from the area could leave vulnerable communities exposed if fighting escalates.
