South Sudan: Security Council Briefing Summary (16 April)
The UN Security Council will hold a briefing on South Sudan, focusing on the latest 90-day UNMISS report. Special Representative Nicholas Haysom and OCHA’s Edem Wosornu will provide updates on the worsening political and humanitarian situation. A civil society representative will also speak, followed by closed consultations.
Political Tensions
Tensions have risen due to President Salva Kiir’s reshuffling of key positions in February, replacing opposition members with loyalists. These moves violate the 2018 peace agreement, according to the opposition SPLM-IO.
Fighting broke out in March between government forces and Nuer youth (the White Army) in Upper Nile state. President Kiir blamed opposition leader Riek Machar, who was later placed under house arrest on 26 March. His detention drew criticism for threatening peace efforts.
Worsening Security
Violence has intensified in several states, including airstrikes in Upper Nile that reportedly killed 58 people. Human Rights Watch claims incendiary weapons were used.
Ugandan troops were confirmed in South Sudan, allegedly for training purposes. However, the opposition accuses them of taking part in attacks, violating a UN arms embargo—an allegation Uganda denies.
International Engagement
Efforts to reduce tensions include visits from the African Union’s Panel of the Wise and Uganda’s President Museveni. EU Special Representative Annette Weber also visited but couldn’t meet with Machar.
Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned the violence, Machar’s detention, and the use of misinformation. He called for an end to hostilities and the restoration of the transitional government.
Humanitarian Crisis
From December to March, 6.1 million people faced acute food insecurity. Violence since March has killed over 180 people, injured 250+, and displaced 125,000. Four aid workers were killed, health services disrupted, and cholera continues to spread—causing nearly 1,000 deaths.
Refugee Pressure
Conflict in neighboring Sudan has pushed over 1.1 million people into South Sudan. Communities are overwhelmed, facing shortages in food, water, medicine, and housing.
Expected Council Response
Council members are likely to call for:
- Immediate ceasefire
- Respect for the peace agreement
- Protection of civilians and aid workers
- Accountability for human rights abuses
- Enforcement of the arms embargo
Discover More
A Fragile Ceasefire in Eastern DRC
Amid ongoing violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), two nearly identical statements released on April 23, 2025, announced an immediate ceasefire. One was signed in Goma by a member of the rebel group AFC/M23—someone not even officially part of the delegation—and the other was issued by the Congolese government in Kinshasa.
Ituri Under Surveillance
Rising Security Concerns The political fragmentation in eastern DRC continues to threaten the fragile stability of Ituri. The failure of the Doha process and the breakdown of the republican pact could pave the way for a new wave of unrest in the region. On April 22, 2025, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, met with leaders of the Lendu militia CODECO (Cooperative for the Development of the Congo) in Entebbe. Officially, the meeting was convened to address CODECO’s attack on Ugandan military positions in Ituri, a confrontation that adds to past clashes between the group and the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). Key Figures and Discussions The CODECO delegation, led by Dunji Kulukpa Etienne (Vice President of the Lendu community), included political and militant representatives. On the Ugandan side, top-ranking officials participated: • General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, CDF • Lieutenant General Kayanja Muhanga, Land Forces Commander • Major General Felix Busizoori, Commander of the 4th Infantry Division • Brigadier General Oscar Munanura, Deputy Assistant Chief of Intelligence and Security Earlier in the week, CODECO leaders had already engaged with Ugandan military commanders. During the Entebbe meeting, Mr. Dunji expressed gratitude for Uganda’s reception and apologized for the Fataki clashes between CODECO and the UPDF. He claimed the militia had been influenced by external forces and emphasized that the Lendu, Balega, and Bahema communities do not view Uganda as an adversary. Dunji also highlighted Ituri’s worsening humanitarian crisis, attributing it to political divisions, while praising Uganda’s contributions in healthcare, refugee assistance, and economic aid. Uganda’s Expanding Influence in Ituri General Kainerugaba reaffirmed Uganda’s historical presence in North Kivu and Ituri, citing counter-insurgency operations dating back to the early 2000s. He urged CODECO leaders to collaborate with the UPDF in pursuit of a lasting peace. As a demonstration of goodwill, Ugandan forces provided free medical care to wounded CODECO fighters. Strategic Implications: A Larger Agenda? While Uganda frames this meeting as a step toward reconciliation, analysts at African Security Analysis suggest a deeper motive. They argue that the gathering was part of a broader effort to integrate CODECO into the militant coalition led by Thomas Lubanga, potentially setting the stage for coordinated offensives in Ituri, particularly targeting Bunia. If confirmed, this would signal a significant shift in the security landscape, with Uganda deepening its influence in Ituri under the guise of conflict resolution. The region remains under scrutiny as stakeholders assess the evolving dynamics.
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