By: Ginaba Lino
The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, says he is deeply concerned about the escalating violence in South Sudan especially in Jonglei State, which has led to many deaths, injuries, and the displacement of thousands of civilians.
In a statement issued in New York on January 29th, the UN said inflammatory rhetoric and expanded military operations are putting already-vulnerable communities at even greater risk.
The UN reports that more than 180-thousand people have been displaced recently in Jonglei alone. And in the first weeks of 2026, the Government of South Sudan says about 250-thousand civilians were displaced nationwide due to the ongoing conflict.
Secretary-General Guterres is calling on all parties to protect civilians and allow safe access for humanitarian assistance. He also stressed the need to guarantee the safety of UN peacekeepers and aid workers.
The UN chief urged both the government and opposition forces to immediately halt military operations and de-escalate the situation through inclusive political dialogue.
He emphasized that the crisis in South Sudan requires a political, not a military solution, and called for a consensus-based roadmap to guide the final year of the transition and pave the way for credible elections.
The Secretary-General also welcomed the efforts of the African Union and IGAD and encouraged neighboring countries to strengthen their support for peace talks.