UN peacekeepers defy South Sudan military order to leave opposition-held town

Juba, South Sudan — The United Nations mission in South Sudan said Monday it will not comply with a government order to close its base in Akobo, an opposition stronghold near the Ethiopian border where tens of thousands of refugees have fled.

On Friday, South Sudan’s army ordered UN peacekeepers and NGOs and civilians to evacuate the town ahead of a planned attack.

But the mission refused to leave and said it would provide a “protective presence for civilians” in the town, saying the safety and security of its personnel “must be fully respected at all times”.

The UN mission said it was “intensively engaging with national, state and local stakeholders” regarding the mandate. “Any military operations in and around Akobo pose a serious threat to the safety and security of civilians,” said the head of mission, Anita Kiki Gbeho.

South Sudan’s government has been battling opposition forces since a 2018 peace deal collapsed nearly a year ago.

A dramatic escalation took place in December 2025 when opposition forces captured several government outposts in northern Jonglei. A government counteroffensive drove back their forces a month later and displaced 280,000 people. Dozens of people have taken refuge in Akobo, where a small contingent of UN peacekeepers is stationed.

Fearing a government attack on Akobo, humanitarian workers were evacuated over the weekend and a mass exodus of the population began.

Local officials contacted by The Associated Press said fleeing civilians face danger and widespread shortages of essential supplies. Akobo county health director Dual Dive, who has fled to Ethiopia, said the hospital had 84 injured patients. “We have most of them here with us now,” he said, adding that they lack medicine and basic nursing equipment.

Christophe Garnier, the leader of Doctors Without Borders in South Sudan, said the organization had to evacuate its staff from Akobo on Saturday following the looting of the hospital and looting of its office.

“People in Akobo must now flee without protection or remain at risk of being killed while losing access to health and other essential services,” he said.

Three Western governments that have played a key role in the peace process – the US, the UK and Norway – sent a letter to President Kiir on Monday, warning that he should withdraw the army evacuation order and “further deaths, displacement and suffering for the people of South Sudan” if the offensive on Akobo is carried out.