UN Security Council Urges Action Amid South Sudan Crises

Representatives from Denmark, France, Greece, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, the United Kingdom and Panama spoke to media ahead of the UN Security Council debate on Sudan.

The UN Security Council convened on 18 August to discuss South Sudan and the “interlinked challenges of climate change and conflict” affecting the region.

Members of the Joint Pledges on Climate, Peace and Security – Denmark, France, Greece, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, and Panama – spoke at a media stakeout ahead of what Panama’s representative called a “compounding crisis” in South Sudan.

The Panamanian representative noted that climate crises, including floods, droughts, limited resources, and famine, are worsening conflict and fostering inter-communal violence. He highlighted gender-based violence, saying, “Women and girls are disproportionately and systematically affected by the intersection of climate shocks and insecurity… the breakdown of community support systems heightens the risk of gender-based violence, early marriage, abduction, and exploitation, yet women and girls remain key actors in community resilience and peace-building.”

Other representatives echoed concerns about aid provisions. Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, warned that funding cuts are leaving millions without life-saving assistance.

According to the latest UNICEF South Sudan Humanitarian Situation Report, the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan is only 28.5 percent funded halfway through the year. Between April and July, approximately 7.7 million people faced high levels of acute food insecurity, including 83,000 at risk of catastrophic conditions. About 9.3 million people remain in dire need of humanitarian assistance.

The primary conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group, has fueled this crisis. Since clashes erupted in April 2023, millions have been displaced internally and across borders, contributing to famine, widespread violence, and food insecurity.

Conflict intensified further in March 2025 when First Vice President Riek Machar was arrested on charges of stirring rebellion, effectively ending the 2018 peace agreement. Political legitimacy has since weakened, with many viewing the upcoming December elections as a chance to restore democracy and fair governance.

Murithi Mutiga, Program Director for Africa at the International Crisis Group, said, “The immediate priority should be to prevent any escalation of violence.” He encouraged UN member states with close ties to South Sudan – including Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Tanzania – to call for opposing military actions and create opportunities for dialogue, while other Security Council members amplify these discussions without overtaking them.

The representative from Somalia, speaking for the A3+ group of African and Caribbean nations, emphasized that “an African-led approach, grounded in partnership, inclusivity, and respect for South Sudan’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity offers the most sustainable path to peace.”

Pobee further stressed the need for all stakeholders to collaborate and act in good faith to promote democracy in the December elections. She warned, “Failing this, the risk of relapse into widespread violence will grow against an already unstable region. It is our shared responsibility to work in close coordination to help the South Sudanese parties avoid such an outcome. The people of South Sudan are counting on us.”