The United States has warned that actions by Salva Kiir could further destabilise South Sudan, amid rising concern over military operations and civilian safety.
Addressing the United Nations Security Council, US diplomat Ambassador Jennifer Locetta delivered a sharply critical assessment of the government’s conduct, arguing that the country’s crisis is no longer about a lack of agreements, but a failure to implement them.
“The tragedy of South Sudan is not a lack of agreements,” she said. “It is a lack of political will to implement them.”
Her remarks come amid growing international concern over events in Jonglei State, particularly in Akobo County, where government forces were accused of issuing a 72-hour evacuation order affecting an estimated 270,000 civilians in March.
According to the US account, the directive forced families including women, children and the elderly to flee their homes with little notice.
Humanitarian reports cited by Washington allege that uniformed troops subsequently burned settlements, contaminated water sources, and carried out acts of violence, including sexual violence against women and girls.
The United States described the actions as “abhorrent and inexcusable,” rejecting any suggestion that they were part of a legitimate security operation.
“President Kiir’s actions are leading South Sudan towards renewed civil war,” Ambassador Locetta warned, accusing the government of prioritising control over peace, civilian protection and national stability.
The South Sudanese government has not publicly responded in detail to the allegations raised at the Council.
The criticism extended beyond events in Akobo, with Washington also accusing South Sudanese authorities of systematically obstructing the work of the UN peacekeeping mission, UNMISS.
The mission, which is mandated to protect civilians and support the implementation of the peace agreement, has faced repeated restrictions, including blocked movements and interference with operations.
Figures presented to the Council indicated that UNMISS recorded more than 80 Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) violations between January and March this year, following over 400 incidents in the preceding three months.
The United States argued that such actions undermine international efforts to stabilise the country and place additional strain on peacekeeping resources funded by international partners.
“South Sudanese leaders can choose to cooperate… They just don’t,” Ambassador Locetta said, suggesting that obstruction has become part of a broader pattern.
Washington also raised concerns about the effectiveness of the UN mission itself, citing a 2025 oversight report which found that the majority of patrols remained within a limited distance of bases, leaving high-risk areas under-served.
While reaffirming support for the mission, the US called for a more focused and realistic mandate, prioritising civilian protection, humanitarian access, human rights monitoring, and accountability.
Despite the criticism, the United States emphasised that responsibility for improving conditions ultimately lies with South Sudan’s leadership.
“It is up to their government to change course, right the ship, and chart a better future,” Ambassador Locetta said.
South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, emerged from a devastating civil war following a 2018 peace agreement, but implementation has been slow and uneven. Periodic outbreaks of violence, political tensions, and humanitarian crises continue to threaten the stability of the country.
As the Security Council debates the future of the UNMISS mandate, diplomats say the gap between international commitments and realities on the ground remains wide.
For many South Sudanese civilians, however, the impact is immediate.
“The people of South Sudan do not need another year of process,” Ambassador Locetta told the Council. “They need protection and leaders who will actually work for them.”
