Situation in South Sudan - Report of the Secretary-General (S/2026/316) [EN/AR]

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I. Introduction

1. The present report is submitted pursuant to Security Council resolution 2779 (2025) and covers political and security developments, the humanitarian and human rights situation and progress towards implementation of the mandate of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) between 16 January and 15 April 2026.

II. Political and economic developments

2. Unilateral actions by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) have continued, with implications for the composition of the Government and the functioning of inclusive decision-making processes in South Sudan. Political fragmentation has directly contributed to military escalation, increasingly hostile rhetoric and greater assertiveness among armed actors. The persistent lack of political will to pursue inclusive dialogue, combined with a focus on elections at the expense of fully implementing the key benchmarks of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan – including unification of forces – have created an atmosphere that increasingly favours one signatory party. The Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity has yet to respond clearly to regional and international proposals for inter-signatory dialogue.

3. The situation in Jonglei State deteriorated in January with increased mobilization and military offensive operations by the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA‑IO). On 25 January, the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces issued a 48‑hour ultimatum demanding civilians, humanitarian actors and UNMISS personnel vacate areas controlled by SPLA‑IO.

4. On 23 January, the Peace and Security Council of the African Union expressed deep concern over the slow implementation of the Revitalized Agreement and reported cases of ceasefire violations. The Peace and Security Council underlined the need to keep the fragile peace process alive by amicably resolving the current political and security impasse, and called on the parties to cease unilateral actions and all forms of hostilities, while reinvigorating their commitment to political inclusion. The Council emphasized that priority should be given to the organization of elections by December 2026 and stressed the need to uphold the supremacy of the Revitalized Agreement and adhere strictly to its provisions.

5. On 24 January, ahead of military operations in Jonglei State, Assistant Chief of Defense Forces for Mobilization and Disarmament Gen. Johnson Olony reportedly stated that no one, including civilians, should be spared, heightening fears of ethnically targeted violence. UNMISS, human rights actors, civil society and political opposition actors condemned the inflammatory nature of this statement.

6. On 27 January, the Minister of Information, Ateny Wek, stated that the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces deployment to northern Jonglei was a defensive measure aimed at halting armed elements’ advances. He further indicated that Olony’s remarks did not reflect government policy. On the same day, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) responded that their forces acted in self-defense and denied any intentions to threaten area controlled by the Government.

7. On 23 February, the President of South Sudan, Selva Kiir removed the Minister of Finance, Barnaba Bak Chol, Commissioner General of the Revenue Authority, William Anyoul, and the Presidential Envoy to the Middle East, Monica Achol. Mr. Bak Chol was arrested on 27 February while reportedly attempting to cross the border into Uganda, following which the Government initiated resource management investigations.

8. Also on 23 February, the National Elections Commission established an Election Dispute Resolution Committee following the announcement that the Commission intended to use the 2010 constituency boundaries.

9. On 26 February, the President removed Vice-President Josephine Lagu as lead of the Service Cluster, reappointing the Agriculture Minister, Hussein Abdelbagi, leader of a South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) splinter faction.

10. On 3 March, an Inter-Party Committee, appointed by the President and headed by the Presidential Advisor for National Security Affairs, Tut Gatluak, convened to outline its mandate and discuss the way forward for elections.

11. Also on 3 March, the National Elections Commission stated that voter registration, electoral campaigns and poll preparations could be achieved within six months, depending on political will, legal clarity and resource allocation.

12. On 6 March, the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces ordered UNMISS to close and withdraw from its base in Akobo, Jonglei State within 72 hours, additionally calling upon United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations and civilians to relocate.

13. On 9 March, the President appointed Daniel Akot Akot, from the SPLM-IO faction under Stephen Par Kuol, as Speaker of the Council of States, replacing Deng Deng Akon from the mainstream SPLM/A-IO.

14. On 11 March, the President removed SPLM/A-IO deputy governors in Lakes, Unity and Eastern Equatoria States which the SPLM/A-IO rejected as violations of the Revitalized Agreement.

15. Also on 11 March, the Chairperson of the National Elections Commission, Abednego Akok Kacoul, told the media that the Commission had only received 4 per cent of its requested budget. On 12 March, in a meeting with the President, the Chairperson said the Commission would announce an election date and launch civic education and voter registration in June.

16. On 13 March, the Revitalized Transitional National Legislative Assembly approved the budget for the 2025/26 fiscal year, with a total expenditure of South Sudan pounds (SSP) 8.58 trillion ($1.9 billion) against projected revenues of SSP 7 trillion ($1.56 billion), leaving a deficit of SSP 1.57 trillion ($350 million). Oil accounts for about 76 per cent of the projected revenue.

17. On 13 March, the South Sudan Council of Churches expressed concerns regarding the security situation and called for a ceasefire and the release of the First Vice-President, Riek Machar. On 17 March, the Office of the President said that ongoing military operations were necessary to restore stability and that judicial processes must be independent from political or religious influence.

18. On 7 April, the SPLM announced the removal of the speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly Jemma Nunu Kumba, replacing her with Joseph Ngere Paciko.

19. During the reporting period, the President also changed the Unity State Governor, the Administrator of the Ruweng Administrative Area, the Minister of Health, the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning and the Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs; and made major reshuffles in the governments of Warrap, Central Equatoria and Western Equatoria States, dismissing and appointing ministers, advisers, heads of commissions and several county commissioners.

Regional engagements and developments

20. On 29 January, Kenya announced the launch of a four‑week dialogue under the auspices of the Tumaini Initiative, with the support of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, with a broader mandate that would include the SPLM/A‑IO.

21. On 15 February, the President participated in the meeting of the African Union High-level Ad Hoc Committee for South Sudan on the sidelines of the thirty-ninth ordinary session of the African Union Summit, held in Addis Ababa. He emphasized the need to avoid undue interference in the internal affairs of South Sudan.

22. The resulting declaration from the High-level Ad Hoc Committee meeting called for an immediate ceasefire; consideration of the release of political prisoners, including the First Vice-President; support for elections; and the appointment of a former Head-of-State as the African Union High Representative to oversee the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement and harmonize various peace tracks. The declaration also discouraged further extensions of the transition.

23. From 14 to 22 March 2026, the President visited South Africa to follow up on the declaration of the High-level Ad Hoc Committee and strengthen bilateral relations. He met with the President of South Arica, Cyril Ramaphosa, and the Deputy President, Paul Mashatile. According to President’s press office, the Government of South Africa pledged electoral support.

24. On 25 March, the Africa Union appointed the former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, as its High Representative for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.

Source: https://reliefweb.int/report/south-sudan/situation-south-sudan-report-secretary-general-s2026316-enarruzh