Akobo commissioner pleads with UNMISS to maintain presence as clashes intensify

AKOBO – The Commissioner of Akobo County in South Sudan’s Jonglei State has appealed to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to reconsider plans to close its Temporary Operations Base (TOB) in Akobo, warning that the move could expose civilians to greater risk and restrict humanitarian access as fighting intensifies in northern Jonglei.

In a formal letter addressed to senior UNMISS leadership, Akobo County Commissioner John Wiyual Lul expressed “deep concern regarding the proposed closure of the Akobo Temporary Operations Base,” describing the UN mission’s presence as essential to civilian protection, local stability, and humanitarian coordination.

His appeal comes amid renewed clashes between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) and the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) across parts of northern Jonglei, violence that has displaced communities and heightened fears of further escalation.

“The UNMISS Akobo Field Office has long served as a cornerstone of the Mission’s presence in Central and Eastern Nuer areas,” Lul wrote. He noted that the base has provided “vital support to local authorities, facilitated timely responses to community concerns, and enhanced coordination among humanitarian actors.”

The commissioner warned that shutting down the base would “significantly weaken local engagement and severely limit humanitarian access to vulnerable populations within the Lou Nuer communities, particularly amid the ongoing conflict and insecurity.”

Akobo sits near volatile conflict zones in Jonglei, a region that has repeatedly witnessed armed confrontations, intercommunal violence, and population displacement. Humanitarian agencies have previously relied on UNMISS field offices and patrols to reach remote communities and maintain security assurances for aid delivery.

Lul urged UNMISS to explore alternatives rather than a complete withdrawal, calling for “a minimal but functional UNMISS presence in Akobo” to sustain stability and operational effectiveness despite resource constraints.

He reaffirmed the county’s willingness to cooperate with the mission, stating that local authorities and communities remain “fully committed to working collaboratively with UNMISS to sustain operational effectiveness.”

The commissioner concluded by appreciating UNMISS leadership and its ongoing role in “peace, protection of civilians, and development efforts in South Sudan,” stressing that Akobo County stands ready to support constructive engagement aimed at safeguarding its population.

UNMISS has not yet publicly responded to the appeal. The call comes amid UNMISS withdrawal from different states across South Sudan as the peacekeeping mission downsizes operations amid funding constraints.